Eating disorder and menstrual dysfunction screening, education, and treatment programs.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Athletic Training
• Public Health

Background:

• Eating disorders (ED) and menstrual dysfunction (MD) pose significant health risks to female athletes.
• Existing screening, education, and treatment programs in collegiate athletics vary widely in scope and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current landscape of ED and MD programs within NCAA Division 1 institutions.
• To evaluate the perceived effectiveness of these selected programs.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to team physicians and head athletic trainers at NCAA Division 1 schools.
• The surveys utilized closed- and open-ended questions to gather data on screening, education, and treatment protocols.

Main Results:

• While 79% of schools screened for MD, only 24% used comprehensive questionnaires. Only 33% had an MD treatment protocol.
• ED screening was reported by 60% of schools, but less than 6% used validated tools. Athletes were withheld from participation for ED (21%) or MD (7%).
• Education on ED and MD was provided by most schools, but less than 41% made it mandatory. Perceived success rates were higher for MD screening (35%) than ED screening (26%).

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for standardized ED and MD screening, prevention, and treatment strategies in NCAA Division 1 athletics.
• Mandatory education on ED and MD for all athletes and athletic personnel is recommended for all NCAA institutions.