Exploring the relationship between low energy availability, depression and eating disorders in female athletes: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the role of low energy availability (LEA) in the interplay between depression and disordered eating/eating disorders (DE/EDs) among female athletes. The International Olympic Committee consensus statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) identified depression as both an outcome of LEA and a secondary risk factor for REDs. However, the direct link between LEA and depression has yet to be fully established.