Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) is a syndrome affecting athletes. It negatively affects health, performance, and growth, with wide-ranging consequences for all genders. It is caused by low energy availability, aka not enough fuel. It’s called RED-S for short (pronounced “reds” or “red ess” depending on who you talk to).
In Girls Running: All You Need To Strive, Thrive and Run Your Best, Melody Fairchild and I discuss it in chapters 8 and 9.
For additional information, check out the links below.
What is RED-S? Why does it matter?
How to tackle food and body issues including RED-S
What coaches need to know about eating
Ackerman KE, Stellingwerff T, Elliott-Sale KJ, et al. “#REDS (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport): time for a revolution in sports culture and systems to improve athlete health and performance.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2020;54:369-370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101926
“A battle cry for change in the female running world: physicians are listening.” Emily Kraus, MD. British Journal of Sports Medicine Blog
Elizabeth W. Carey 