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LEA and RED-S in Athletes
By Hannah Boyl
What is LEA?

LEA stands for low energy availability. This occurs when an individual does not have enough energy to support the day to day func-

tion of the body along with the demands of physical activity.

What is RED-S?
RED-S stands for relative energy deficiency in sport. This is a syndrome of impaired function of the body including multiple systems
like metabolism, immune, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and more. LEA is the condition leading to RED-S.

Who is at risk?
A higher risk is seen in athletes that benefit from a lighter bodyweight like runners, wrestlers, and gymnasts. These athletes may
intentionally restrict their calorie intake or increase their training load. However, any athlete that isn’t aware of how to meet their
nutritional needs can be at risk. Middle and high school athletes may not have the most healthful eating behaviors. They tend to skip
meals, choose foods higher in sugar and refined carbohydrates, and indulge in snack foods.
The truth is, athletes ages 10-18 need anywhere from 2300-4000 calories per day. That’s quite a bit of food. The chances that
adolescents are achieving that level of calorie intake with healthful foods are quite slim. To help understand how much food this is,
below is a menu of what 3000 calories of nutrient-dense (high vitamin and mineral) foods would be:

Adapted from Sports Nutrition Care Manual

Health Issues1-2
When the body does not have enough energy/calories to work properly, health issues begin to arise. Some of these issues
include:

•Nutrient deficiencies
•Impaired reproductive function

•Decreased bone formation and
bone mineral density
•Negative impact on the immune
system
•Changes in lipid profile that can
lead to high cholesterol and other
cardiovascular disease risk factors
•Decreased metabolic rate
Many of these issues can cause
long-term health conditions that
athletes will see the negative effects
of well into adulthood.

What to look for1-3

Your Local Family
Healthcare Team

William J. Starbird, MD, FAAFP
Board Certified Family Medicine

Anita Schierlinger, MSN, FNP-BC
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit!
Call 810-688-3048

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