If you have a child or teen involved in sports, you’ve probably wondered:

Are they eating enough to support everything they’re doing?

In this episode, I’m talking about relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S), a condition that can impact growth, hormones, and performance in young athletes, often without obvious signs.

Because here’s the thing…

Even when everything looks fine on the outside — good performance, busy schedule, strong work ethic — your child’s body might still be running on empty.

What is relative energy deficiency in sport?

REDs happens when the body doesn’t have enough energy (calories) to support everything it needs to do, from basic functions like brain activity and hormone regulation to growth, recovery, and athletic performance.

And it doesn’t take a dramatic drop in food intake to get there.

Even a small, consistent gap between what your child is eating and what their body actually needs can start to impact how their body functions.

That’s why REDs is so easy to miss.

Teen athletes are especially vulnerable.

They’re not just training. They’re also growing, learning, socializing, and navigating a stage of life where energy needs are already high.

Add in things like:

• packed training schedules
• pressure to perform
• diet trends and social media influence

…and it becomes surprisingly easy for kids to under-fuel without realizing it.

What makes this even trickier?

Hunger isn’t always a reliable signal.

Many athletes will say, “I’m not hungry,” especially during busy or high-stress times like school or competition.

But appetite can actually be suppressed when the body is under stress, meaning your child may need fuel even if they don’t feel hungry.

Signs of under-fueling in teen athletes

Over time, under-fueling can start to show up in subtle ways.

You might notice:

• changes in mood or energy
• trouble sleeping
• more soreness or slower recovery
• feeling full quickly or eating less overall

And in more advanced cases:

• missed periods
• slower growth
• injuries like stress fractures
• declining performance

By the time these signs appear, the body has often been under-fueled for a while.

The good news?

This is something we can catch early and support.

Helping your child fuel consistently throughout the day (not just at meals, but with snacks too), paying attention to patterns, and getting support when needed can make a big difference in both their health and performance.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) actually is
• Why under-fueling can happen even when kids are eating
• The hidden signs parents often miss
• Why hunger isn’t a reliable guide for athletes
• How under-fueling affects growth, hormones, and performance
• Why high-achieving, disciplined teens are often most at risk
• Simple ways to support better fueling habits

If you want to go deeper, be sure to listen to the full episode:

Resources & Links

• Get to know Becca and her work: www.beccamcconville.com
• Parenting Group Program:  https://thenourishedchild.com/kids-thrive-experience/