Identification of the components of the female athlete triad and profile of macro and micronutrients in university

Female participation in sports has increased in recent decades and a similar increase in the Female Athlete Triad can be observed. This syndrome is characterized by three components: low available energy, menstrual cycle disorders and low bone mineral density. The aim of this study was to identify the components of the Triad, profile macro and micronutrient intake and identify the frequency of low available energy. This was a descriptive observational study with quantitative analysis. The sample consisted of ten athletes, five handball and five futsal, with an average age of 23 (+/- 1.9) years. An anamnesis was taken, a three-day food record, a photographic record of food, anthropometry and body composition, an estimate of energy expenditure at rest and during exercise and the magnitude of the Triad risk. One athlete was diagnosed with bulimia, and another reported a previous stress fracture and irregular menstruation. The average consumption of macronutrients was 3.0g/kg/day of carbohydrates, 1.2g/kg/day of protein and 32% of the total caloric value of lipids. All had low apparent adequacy of magnesium and calcium intake, and the average intake of iron, vitamin A, C and B12 was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Adequate Intake (AI). All had low available energy (<= 30 kcal/kg GLM/day). Nine athletes were at low risk and one was at moderate risk, so it can be concluded that low available energy and inadequate micronutrient intake was high in university athletes, corroborating the occurrence of the Female Athlete Triad.