[Eating behavior and bone mineral density in young women marathon participants]

Although reduced gonadal steroid hormone concentration appear to play a major role in lower trabecular bone density (BMD) in female marathon runners, dietary deficiencies and eating behaviors may also affect BMD. To investigate that possibility, dietary patterns and BMD were examined in 27 female regular marathon runners classified as eumenorrheic (8), amenorrheic (10) and under oral contraception (9). The results show a significant lower BMD in amenorrheic athletes but no dietary deficiencies. These results suggest that the eating behavior don't play any role in the lower BMD of our athletes.