Causes of low energy availability

Although it is often associated with disordered eating or an eating disorder low energy availability can also be caused inadvertently or by mismanaging weight control efforts. Examples of this can include:

• Changes to training/competition load, including short turnarounds between training sessions and/or competitions (i.e. increasing energy exercise expenditure (EEE) above energy intake (EI).
• Lack of skills, time, and/or money for meal planning and preparation.
• Not understanding individual energy needs for sport.

More serious disordered eating which may lead to, or be caused by, an eating disorder may include dieting or the use of fasting, diet pills, laxatives, diuretics etc.

RED-S is most common in sports where leanness and/or weight are important for performance (long distance running, road cycling); aesthetics/appearance (gymnastics, dancing); or to meet a weight category (wrestling, boxing, combat sports).

As the primary cause of RED-S is energy deficiency some early signs can be:

• weight loss
• Disordered Eating or an Eating Disorder
• lack of normal growth and development
• menstrual dysfunction
• recurrent injuries and illnesses
• decreased performance
• mood or social behavioural changes