Secondary amenorrhea, ovulatory disturbances, and luteal phase deficiency
occur in normal-weight women with sub-clinical eating disorders. The
purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of Eating
Attitudes Test (EAT-26) scores, energy intake, and frequency of activity on
ovarian hormone status in normal-weight, college-age women. Fourteen
normal-weight female students, ages 19 - 24, who were attempting weight loss
and did not currently meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, served as
subjects. Food-intake, dieting behavior, and menstrual cycle function were
recorded by subjects during a three month period. Biweekly blood samples
were assayed for estradiol and progesterone for one menstrual cycle. Mean
age, number of years dieting, and BMI were similar between subjects. Five
subjects (36%) had progesterone levels indicative of luteal phase deficiency or
anovulation. The EAT-26 score was not associated with menstrual cycle
dysfunction. Frequency of exercise and serum progesterone concentration were significantly correlated. Subjects who exercised 7+ hours per week had
significantly lower peak progesterone values (p<0.03) than subjects who
exercised 1 -3 hours per week. Within the group of subjects scoring above 20
on the EAT-26, those who exercised 7+ hours per week had significantly
lower peak progesterone values than subjects exercising 1 - 6 hours (p < 0.03).
There was a positive correlation (r = 0.384, P = 0.21) between length of luteal
phase and daily energy intake, however the relationship was non-significant.
Normal-weight, premenopausal women dieting to lose weight experienced
menstrual cycle dysfunction in the absence of significant weight loss or
diagnosable eating disorder.
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