Publication Date
4-2023
School
School of Health Sciences
Major
Biology: Biomedical Sciences
Keywords
Low energy availability, relative energy deficiency in sport, female athlete triad, energy balance, exercise, nutrition
Disciplines
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition | Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition | Endocrine System Diseases | Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism | Medical Nutrition | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Sports Medicine | Sports Sciences
Recommended Citation
Parry, Grace, "Health Consequences of Low Energy Availability in Females and Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms" (2023). Senior Honors Theses. 1300.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1300
Abstract
Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which energy intake is insufficient to support energy expenditure while maintaining energy balance, which has been shown to result in gastrointestinal distress, immunosuppression, reduced metabolic rate, menstrual dysfunction, diminished bone health, and impaired cardiovascular function in females. Alterations to the microbiome and mucosal lining may propagate gastrointestinal complaints and compromised immune function associated with LEA. The pathophysiology of LEA is otherwise largely driven by hormonal adaptations. Diminished production of thyroid hormones is known to contribute to reduced metabolic rate. Decreases in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin disrupt reproductive function through modulation of anorexigenic and orexigenic factors, and the resulting hypoestrogenism can impair bone health and cardiovascular function.
Included in
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Endocrine System Diseases Commons, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Commons, Medical Nutrition Commons, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Commons, Sports Medicine Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
