Eating Disorders and Low Energy Availability in Female Athletes: Prevalence, Risk, and Impact on Athletic Performance

A healthy athlete’s nutrient intake should be sufficient to meet energy demands and support essential physiological functions. However, when athletes follow restrictive diets, experience eating disorders, or expend excessive energy, low energy availability may occur. This condition disrupts multiple physiological systems, leading to hormonal imbalances, decreased bone mineral density, and psychological disturbances. Female athletes are particularly vulnerable, facing a heightened risk for both eating disorders and low energy availability. This review explores the prevalence of these issues among female athletes, identifies contributing risk factors, and evaluates their impact on athletic performance. Existing literature highlights a notably increased risk in sports that emphasize aesthetics or weight classification. Performance-related consequences of low energy availability include reduced endurance, impaired coordination, and a higher incidence of injuries. Early identification and the implementation of appropriate nutritional strategies may significantly enhance both health outcomes and athletic performance.