530 BO46 – Risk for low energy availability, disordered eating and sleep disturbance in female football players

Background Female athletes are at risk of developing mental health issues and low energy availability. Low energy availability (LEA) is reported to have various negative health consequences and deteriorated sports performance in athletes. Objective To assess energy availability and mental health status in female football players. Design The participants were recruited through a purposive sampling technique. Setting An observational study, conducted on female football players in the pre-competition phase. Participants Twenty-five female football players aged 19–30 years were recruited. The inclusion criteria were general good health and a willingness to participate in the study. The exclusion criteria included any recent history of acute or chronic debilitating illness, injury, smoking, medication and food allergies. Assessment Segmental body composition was assessed using the bioelectrical impendence method. EA was assessed using the factorial method. The Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) determined the physiological symptoms of insufficient energy intake. Mental health status was assessed using the Mental Health Assessment Tool-1 (SMHAT-1). Descriptive statistics and an independent sample t-test were employed to test the hypotheses. Main Outcome Measurements Low energy availability, Mental health Results LEA was prevalent among 24% of athletes based on the factorial approach and 12% based on the LEAF-Q. LEA symptoms i.e., impaired gastrointestinal and menstrual functions were seen in 16% and injury history in 8% of athletes. Poor mental health was found in 44% of the athletes. Among the mental health problems, sleep disturbance (12%) and disordered eating (44%) were prevalent. No significant difference was shown between EA, disordered eating, and sleep disturbance. Conclusions Female football athletes were at an increased risk of LEA, eating disorders, and sleep disturbance. LEA was not associated with disordered eating and sleep disturbance.