MEATLESS DIETS IN FEMALE ATHLETES - A RED FLAG

Physically active adolescent girls and young women may eliminate meat from their diets to achieve or maintain low body weight. By doing so, they risk developing protein, iron, and zinc deficiencies. Further, me atless diets in this population may signal the possibility of amenorrh ea and/or disordered eating, with the attendant risk of osteoporosis. Educating young women and their parents and coaches regarding the risk s of a meatless diet and using the preparticipation exam to screen for these problems can promote preventive measures.