Awareness of female athlete triad among female athletes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Background: The female athlete triad is a critical health condition that affects female athletes and includes three interrelated components: energy deficiency with or without an eating disorder, menstrual disturbances, and decreased bone mineral density. Awareness of the triad is essential for its prevention and management, yet there is limited knowledge about the level of awareness of this Triad among females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Aim: This study aims to assess the level of awareness and understanding of the female athlete triad among females in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with their awareness. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed among females aged 18 years and older residing in Riyadh. The survey collected data on demographics, awareness of the female athlete triad, information sources, and associated factors. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify predictors of awareness. Results: The study revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding the awareness and understanding of the female athlete triad among female athletes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Among 276 participants, predominantly aged 25–34 years with bachelor’s degrees, 87% had no prior exposure to information about the triad. Despite high physical activity levels, with 67% engaging in sports 3–5 times/week, 72.1% relied on healthcare professionals for guidance, yet only 27.9% had prior knowledge of the condition. Notably, 50% exhibited low awareness levels, underscoring the urgent need for targeted educational programs to enhance understanding and mitigate health risks associated with the triad. Conclusion: The study revealed a significant deficiency in awareness and understanding of the female athlete triad among female athletes in Riyadh. This presents serious public health implications due to potential long-term health consequences. Recommendations include urgent educational initiatives and collaboration with healthcare professionals, sports organizations, and academic institutions to promote awareness, early detection, and prevention. Further regional research is needed to inform targeted interventions.