Eating and sleep disorders: female athlete triad: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Eating and sleep disorders: female athlete triad

Sample item

A 19-year-old distance runner has a tibial stress fracture, irregular cycles and strict dietary restriction to stay lean. She is at risk of a recognised triad. Which three components make up this triad?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, low bone density

The female athlete triad consists of low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), menstrual dysfunction and low bone mineral density. Management aims to raise energy intake or reduce training load to restore menses and bone health.

Option by option

  • A. Binge eating, purging, laxative misuse

    Binge eating with purging and laxative misuse describes bulimic behaviours, not the athletic triad.

  • B. Anaemia, iron deficiency, hypoglycaemia

    These are nutritional and metabolic findings but do not form the defined triad.

  • C. Obsessions, compulsions, body-image distortion

    Obsessions and compulsions with body-image distortion mix OCD and body dysmorphic features.

  • D. Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, low bone density (correct)

    Correct. These three linked components define the triad.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, low bone density. The female athlete triad consists of low energy availability (with or without an eating disorder), menstrual dysfunction and low bone mineral density.

Why is "Binge eating, purging, laxative misuse" not the answer?

Binge eating with purging and laxative misuse describes bulimic behaviours, not the athletic triad.

Why is "Anaemia, iron deficiency, hypoglycaemia" not the answer?

These are nutritional and metabolic findings but do not form the defined triad.

Why is "Obsessions, compulsions, body-image distortion" not the answer?

Obsessions and compulsions with body-image distortion mix OCD and body dysmorphic features.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: female athlete triad in Psychiatry. Management aims to raise energy intake or reduce training load to restore menses and bone health.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Eating and sleep disorders: female athlete triad?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.