Compare and contrast compulsive exercise and the female athlete triad.

Both compulsive exercise and the female athlete triad may represent a perfectionist attitude and a self-worth that is externally focused. Compulsive exercise increases the risk of injury and can be associated with psychological and eating disorders. The female athlete triad is characterized by low intake of calories and low estrogen, resulting in menstrual dysfunction and low bone density. It is more common in athletes who participate in highly competitive individual sports, whereas compulsive exercise is not associated with a sport. Compulsive exercise, combined with low energy intake, could lead to the female athlete triad as body fat decreases and vitamins and minerals are depleted. The female athlete triad can result in stress fractures.