Correlation between body image and the risk of Female Athlete Triad (FAT) in SMAN Olahraga Sidoarjo

Background: Many female athletes that desire the perfect body fall into negative body image and eating disorders. Suppose the condition occurs over a long period, it increases the risk of female athlete triad (FAT) syndrome, which consists of three components: low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density. Although many studies have indicated the high prevalence of FAT syndrome among female athletes, there is still a lack of research on this syndrome in Indonesia.Objective: This research examines the correlation between body image and the risk of FAT syndrome in young female athletes of SMANOR Sidoarjo.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted using questionnaires, BSQ-34 items to assess body image and LEAF-Q to assess the risk of the FAT syndrome. Seventy-six young female athletes (16.88±1.01 years old) at SMANOR Sidoarjo were divided into three different sports categories: power, endurance, and games. The non-parametric correlation test spearman rho was used to determine the relationship between both variables.Result: Half of the subjects (n=38) felt dissatisfied with their body image, and 38.2% (n=29) have a risk of FAT syndrome with no significant difference (p>0.05) between the three sports categories. There is a one-way relationship between body image and the risk of the FAT syndrome (p<0.05, r=0.294).Conclusion: This study revealed a one-way relationship between body image and the risk of the FAT syndrome. Thus, a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to promote mental health and nutrition-related problems that could lead to FAT syndrome.