# Why male athletes are suffering in silence with REDs

BBC Sport examines relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs), a condition linked to under-fueling that can lead to illness, injury and repeated setbacks. It highlights how men may be less likely to speak up or seek help, leaving them suffering in silence. The issue matters because REDs can harm both athletes’ health and performance.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Sports
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/ck054n5nqlv5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:45:34 GMT

### Health
- [BBC Health](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/videos/cqrly0d9ekyyo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:44:39 GMT