Exploring the associations between low energy availability and mental health among university athletes: A systematic literature review.

Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) are associated with negative physical health outcomes, and growing evidence suggests connections with mental health problems. However, this relationship has not been systematically explored in university athletes. This review examined associations between LEA and adverse mental health symptoms in university athletes. The SPORTDiscus, Embase, PsychInfo, and Medline databases were searched from inception to May 2024, with an updated search in July 2025. Studies were included if they assessed relationships between validated mental health symptom measures and LEA in university athletes. LEA was measured either through direct calculation (