Implications of nutrition in athletes' menstrual cycle irregularities

A study of the nutritional intake of 75 healthy females 16-43 years of age was conducted. The purpose of the study was to attempt to determine relationships between diet, body fat, exercise, menstrual patterns and specific lipoproteins. Serum multiple analyses, skinfold measurements and menstrual histories were generated on all subjects. A four day self-recorded diet diary was completed by all subjects. Nutrient intake was computer analyzed and evaluated using one-way analysis of covariance and regression coefficients. Analysis of the data revealed a statistically significant relationship between exercise and serum high density lipoprotein (P less than 0.05). Findings indicated no strong evidence that any of the specific dietary variables studied or percent body fat influences high density lipoprotein. The relationships between diet, body fat and exercise associated menstrual cycle alteration in the same subjects showed no significant relationships and requires further study.