Melinda Manore, Ph.D., R.D., FACSM

Nutrition and Exercise in Girls and Women

Female Athlete Triad is a serious health problem that involves disordered eating, low bone mass, and amenorrhea (cessation of the menstrual cycle) in female athletes. The condition is most common in sports that emphasize leanness, such as cross country running, gymnastics, and figure skating. In the past 25 years, much has been learned about symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatment strategies for Female Athlete Triad. Studies involving different types of athletes have provided valuable information that has helped many physically active women avoid the health problems of this condition.

Melinda Manore, Ph.D., R.D., FACSM, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise at Oregon State University, comes on the show to discuss the Female Athlete Triad and how women athletes can avoid these problems.

Melinda Manore, Ph.D., R.D., FACSM, is a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Exercise at Oregon State University. She has researched the effects of nutrition and exercise on health, especially the prevention of chronic disease, weight maintenance/obesity prevention, metabolic syndrome, and eating behaviors. Dr. Manore has a specific interest in the nutrition and exercise issues of girls and women and has done a number of studies related to the Female Athlete Triad: menstrual dysfunction, disordered eating/eating disorders, and bone health. She is also currently examining the role of diet and exercise on belly fat in premenopausal females.

Dr. Manore is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and currently serves as a vice-president of the ACSM Board of Trustees. She earned an M.S. (health education and community health) from the University of Oregon and Ph.D. (human nutrition, minor exercise science) from Oregon State University. Dr. Manore is a Registered Dietitian and a Certified Specialist is Sport Dietetics (CSSD).

Melanie Cole, M.S.

10 / 12 / 2010