Food attitudes in female athletes: association with menstrual cycle length

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between indicators of risk of disordered eating, body image and varied menstrual cycle lengths. Altogether, 151 female athletes were invited from 16 sports and 70 female non-athletic controls were recruited from a university lecture class. The participants completed several surveys, including demographics, menstrual cycle history, physical activity, Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Selected EDI subscales were summed to reflect eating disorder risk and body image. Menstrual cyclicity was based on self-reported cycle length for the last 6 months (normal cycles = 26-32 days, irregular cycles < or =26 or >32 days). Athletes overall had more irregular cycles (29.1%) than the non-athletes (15.7%) (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in scores for eating disorder risk, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, cognitive restraint (TFEQ) and disinhibition (TFEQ), only when athletes were divided based on menstrual cyclicity (i.e. irregularly cycling athletes had higher scores than athletes with normal menstrual cycle lengths). No differences in these scores were found between non-athletes with normal or irregular menstrual cycle lengths. In conclusion, irregularly short or long menstrual cycle length is associated with subtle indications of higher risk of disordered eating in female athletes.     

Beyond Standard Models—Meeting the Challenge of Modelling

This paper reports on a project that incorporated mathematical modelling within a pre-university subject at a secondary college. The program emphasised modelling rather than models and extended over two years. A qualitative methodology was used to evaluate the program with information collected in a variety of forms including student written reports, oral interviews, video reports, diaries, questionnaire data, as well as informal observation. The program was evaluated in terms of five criteria derived from the stated aims. Erom the synthesis and triangulation of the data it was inferred that the program aims were achieved to an encouraging degree. The paper describes and illustrates key aspects of the program and its evaluation.