Reading Passage: Risks for RED-S

Module 7: Risks for RED-S

• Low BMI
• Restrictive eating (caloric value or certain food groups)
• Weight loss practices
• Excessive energy expenditure
• Delayed menarche (first period)
• Exercise dependence (aka exercise addition or compulsive exercise)
• Certain sports
• Those with pressure to maintain a certain body composition or weight
• Figure skating, gymnastics, diving, dancing, cheerleading
• Those with frequent weigh-ins
• Rowing, wrestling
• Endurance athletes
• Marathoners, cyclists
• Negative team culture
• Unhealthy power dynamic between coach and athletes
• Body shaming
• Ignoring hunger
• Winning at all costs
• Coach pressure on athlete to lose weight
• Athlete misconception of how many calories they need to consume
• Menstrual dysfunction (oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea)
• Stress fractures
• History of disordered eating or eating disorders

It's important to note that these risk factors are not mutually exclusive, and an athlete may be at risk due to a combination of factors. It's also crucial  to understand that RED-S can occur in any sport, and not only in sports that have a weight-class or aesthetic component.