Link Between Ferritin, Vitamin D, Performance, and Eating Attitudes in Female Athletes.

Abstract

Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can affect athletes' health and performance. However, the epidemiology and associated risk factors remain unclear. Forty-three elite female athletics athletes (20.2 ± 1.9 years) were included. A survey regarding the training schedule and Eating Attitudes Test-26, body composition, bone mineral density, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and ferritin levels were assessed. Mean serum 25(OH)D and ferritin levels were 25.2 ± 5.5 ng/mL and 29.0 ± 13.2 ng/mL, respectively, and 83.7% and 41.9 % of athletes had vitamin D and ferritin insufficiency, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D level was negatively correlated with the number of rest days per week (Coefficient, -6.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], -9.82--2.57; p = 0.002), and serum ferritin level was negatively correlated with body mass index (Coefficient, -3.87; 95% CI, -7.57--0.16; p = 0.041). Performance levels were positively correlated with serum vitamin D levels (Coefficients, 7.25; 95% CI, 0.25-14.25; p = 0.043) and negatively correlated with EAT-26 scores (Coefficient, -7.30; 95% CI, -12.61--1.98; p = 0.009) and body fat percentage (Coefficient, -13.26; 95% CI, -24.66--1.86; p = 0.025). Vitamin D and ferritin insufficiencies are prevalent among Japanese female athletics athletes. Serum vitamin D level was related to performance level.