Understanding Energy Deficiency/ Low Energy Availability

What is it?

Energy availability is the amount of energy you have to fuel your body’s needs after you subtract out the calories (energy) you use for exercise.

Energy Deficiency/ Low Energy Availability means you do not have enough calories (energy) for you body’s needs AND for exercise!

Routes to Energy Deficiency

 

There are many different pathways to energy deficiency that can be observed in athletes:

Many people suffer from severe psychological illnesses, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which are related to an unhealthy relationship with food and can lead to energy deficiency. The people that often suffer from eating disorders tend to be perfectionists with low-self-esteem and are very critical of themselves. The pressure to fit a certain image, results in binging and purging habits that can lead to malnutrition, heart problems, and potentially fatal conditions further down the road, if left untreated.  Eating disorders are very serious medical problems that require an intervention with a doctor.

*IMPORTANT: Up to 48% of athletes fall under this category as compared to 5-9% of the general population

Abnormal eating patterns that affect your ability to maintain sufficient caloric intake encompass disordered eating and are very distinct from being classified, or diagnosed with an eating disorder. Common disordered eating behaviors include a preoccupation with being thin (high drive for thinness) and a conscious effort to restrict your food intake (high dietary cognitive restraint). Ultimately, these contribute to pathological weight control behaviors, but are not the same as being diagnosed with as eating disorders.

*IMPORTANT: 89% of lean-build athletes fall victim to dietary restriction, binge eating and/or purging behaviors

Simply put, this means you are not eating enough food to account for the amount of energy expended, and probably do not realize you are doing so. Sometimes, this might happen because you forgot to bring a lunch with you to school or practice, or maybe you don’t have enough money to pay for a snack after a workout. In these scenarios, you are not consciously trying to decrease your caloric intake.

In this case, some people pursue healthy weight loss goals but lack the understanding of proper nutrition.

Signs and Symptoms of Energy Deficiency/ Low Energy Availability

You may not be eating enough if you experience any of the following:

  • Feel tired and fatigued

  • Decrease in athletic performance

  • Problems concentrating

  • Irregular periods

  • Fractures or recurring injuries

Outcomes of Energy Deficiency/ Low Energy Availability

  • Your body must alter important physiological systems that involve growth and reproduction to conserve energy for survival
  • This leads to slower metabolism, menstrual disturbances and problems with bone health
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