GYNAECOLOGICAL NUTRITION

Inc. early anorexia in young women.

It’s obvious that what you eat has an effect on your body. If you eat too much you get fat, if you then go on a diet and eat little, you lose weight. There are, however, many less obvious relationships, between nutrition and body function.

Consideration of nutrition when planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy and the post-natal period, are now more generally recognised. Calcium and the prevention of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women have been widely publicised. What is less well known is the relationship between diet and infertility and the link between osteoporosis and nutrition in teenage girls and young women.

Dr. Collins initially noted a relationship between nutrition and irregular periods in young female athletes. This study led to further research with infertility patients and other young women with irregular periods. It’s been known for some time that anorexia could lead to osteoporosis and brittle bones. This research demonstrated an early stage, with hormonal changes, occurring before anorexia was fully established.

The prevalence of disordered eating in the female athletic population has been estimated to be as high as 62%, with the incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia estimated at up to 39%. The diagnosis is often missed because of the secretive nature of the disease. At the 40th Annual American College of Sports Medicine Meeting in 1993, the name - Female Athlete Triad was given to a combination of symptoms - amenorrhea disordered eating, and osteoporosis. The Female Athlete Triad, referred to as F.A.T. is a very bad choice of acronym to label patients who have a morbid fear of weight gain and the condition is not restricted to athletes.

Osteoporosis may result in stress fractures, a major concern of athletes and their trainers, but for some, the full impact of this condition may not be realized until these women reach menopause, when bone loss is accelerated.

Full assessment is recommended for all teenage girls and young women who have irregular periods and a history of - restricted diet, the use of diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics; because of a fear of becoming fat. This is particularly prevalent in dancers, models and those training for sports but is not exclusive to these groups.

We utilise a full screening assessment and use dietary measures to prevent the fully developed condition.