<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Objective</h3>
<p>The syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is the result of a prolonged period of low energy availability in athletes and leads to the deterioration of health and physical performance. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RED-S-related health and performance problems in young Slovenian athletes, comparing middle (14–17 years) with late (18–21 years) adolescents.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Methods</h3>
<p>We analysd data of 118 young athletes (61 females, 57 males) who had nutritional assessments. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the prevalence of RED-S-related problems. RED-S was diagnosed using the Relative Energy Deficiency Tool and the Sports Clinical Assessment Tool. Nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S were assessed with the use of a questionnaire and analysis of a three-day food diary.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>The majority of athletes had at least one RED-S-related health disorder. The number of health-related disorders was significantly higher in females 3.0 (0.2) compared to males 1.6 (0.2). It was also significantly higher in middle 2.6 (0.2) compared to 1.9 (0.3) late adolescents. Potential nutritional risk factors for RED-S were low carbohydrate intake, skipping meals before and after practice, a desire to lose weight, and a history of weight loss in the past year.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The prevalence of health-related RED-S disorders and performance problems in young athletes is concerning, and our study indicates that middle adolescents are more vulnerable to this than late adolescents. Our findings suggest that screening for RED-S symptoms and nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S should be included in regular medical examination of young athletes.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Objective
The syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is the result of a prolonged period of low energy availability in athletes and leads to the deterioration of health and physical performance. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of RED-S-related health and performance problems in young Slovenian athletes, comparing middle (14–17 years) with late (18–21 years) adolescents.

Methods
We analysd data of 118 young athletes (61 females, 57 males) who had nutritional assessments. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the prevalence of RED-S-related problems. RED-S was diagnosed using the Relative Energy Deficiency Tool and the Sports Clinical Assessment Tool. Nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S were assessed with the use of a questionnaire and analysis of a three-day food diary.

Results
The majority of athletes had at least one RED-S-related health disorder. The number of health-related disorders was significantly higher in females 3.0 (0.2) compared to males 1.6 (0.2). It was also significantly higher in middle 2.6 (0.2) compared to 1.9 (0.3) late adolescents. Potential nutritional risk factors for RED-S were low carbohydrate intake, skipping meals before and after practice, a desire to lose weight, and a history of weight loss in the past year.

Conclusion
The prevalence of health-related RED-S disorders and performance problems in young athletes is concerning, and our study indicates that middle adolescents are more vulnerable to this than late adolescents. Our findings suggest that screening for RED-S symptoms and nutrition-related risk factors for RED-S should be included in regular medical examination of young athletes.

New Epidemic of Malnutrition in Young Slovenian Athletes

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Nova Epidemija Podhranjenosti Mladih Slovenskih Športnikov

Objective
The syndrome of relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) is the result of a prolonged period of low energy availability in athletes and leads to...

New Epidemic of Malnutrition in Young Slovenian Athletes

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jun 13, 2023

Page range: 121 - 128

Received: Nov 20, 2022

Accepted: Mar 29, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2023-0017

Keywords
Relative energy, deficiency in sport, Young athletes, Low energy availability, Nutritional risk

© 2023 Eva Peklaj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

New Epidemic of Malnutrition in Young Slovenian Athletes

Article Category: Original scientific article

Published Online: Jun 13, 2023

Page range: 121 - 128

Received: Nov 20, 2022

Accepted: Mar 29, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjph-2023-0017

KeywordsRelative energy, deficiency in sport, Young athletes, Low energy availability, Nutritional risk

© 2023 Eva Peklaj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Relative energy, deficiency in sport, Young athletes, Low energy availability, Nutritional risk