Who We Are

Who are we?
The Female Athlete Triad Coalition, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, represents key medical, nursing, athletic, and sports medicine groups, as well as concerned individuals who come together to promote optimal health and well-being for female athletes and active girls and women.

The Coalition developed from the international, collaborative desire to support cultures that promote healthy athletic environments, establish public policy, effect change in national and international governing bodies, eliminate inappropriate dietary treatment practices of female athletes, provide education about the Triad, and determine the scope of the problem through research.

Mission Statement:
The Coalition strives to prevent the Female Athlete Triad through advocacy, education, international leadership, public policy, and research.

The Female Athlete Triad Coalition, formed in 2002, is a group of national and international organizations dedicated to addressing unhealthy eating behaviors, hormonal irregularities, and bone health among female athletes and active women.

The Coalition developed from the international, collaborative desire to support cultures that promote healthy athletic environments, establish public policy, effect change in national and international governing bodies, eliminate inappropriate dietary treatment practices of female athletes, provide education about the Triad, and determine the scope of the problem through research.

What is The Triad?
The Female Athlete Triad is a syndrome of three interrelated conditions that exist on a continuum of severity, including:

• Energy Deficit/Disordered Eating
• Menstrual Disturbances/Amenorrhea
• Bone Loss/Osteoporosis

What causes The Triad?
Energy Deficit/Disordered Eating
An energy deficit is an imbalance between the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy expended during exercise.  The primary cause of the Female Athlete Triad is energy deficiency.  Often, this can involve a conscious restriction of food intake, problems with body image and a high drive for thinness.  Sometimes, these conditions can lead to disordered eating, or more serious eating problems, like anorexia or bulimia.

Menstrual Disturbances/Amenorrhea
The most serious mentrual problem associated with the Triad is amenorrhea, defined as no menstrual period for 3 months or more.  However, athletes who have irregular menstrual cycles are also susceptible to the effects of the Triad.

Bone Loss/Osteoporosis
Women with the Triad are at higher risk for low bone mass leading to weakened bones, called osteoporosis in its severe form.  This type of bone loss can cause an increased risk of fractures, including stress fractures.