Low Bone Mass
- Bones are dynamic; they are continually broken down and rebuilt
- The suppression of estrogen (from menstrual disturbances) disrupts bone growth and strength
- Poor bone health leads to stress fractures and osteoporosis
Risk Factors for Low Bone Mass
- Low body weight
- Inadequate Calcium and vitamin D intake
- Primary or secondary amenorrhea
- Insufficient food intake to refuel energy expended during exercise
The Triad and Bone Health
- Low energy availability detrimentally impact bone health
- When a person does not eat enough food to supply her energy needs for a healthy body, the energy needed to keep bones healthy is suppressed
- Hormones responsible for stimulating bone growth inhibited
- A loss in bone mass can result from not having enough energy in the body
- Can lead to stress fractures and osteoporosis

