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Cross-sectional studies have shown that adolescent and young adult oligo-amenorrheic athletes (OAs) have lower areal bone mineral density (BMD) compared with eumenorrheic athletes (EAs) and do not display the expected greater bone density and strength at weight-bearing sites compared with nonathletes (NAs).
To determine if these deficits persist, investigators conducted an observational study of bone density changes in 78 adolescent and young adults — 27 OAs, 29 EAs, and 22 NAs — during a 12-month period. The mean age of the participants at enrollment was 19–20 years, and more than 40% in each group were younger than 18. The groups did not differ at baseline in height, weight, or body-mass index, but OAs had significantly less fat mass and g…