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REDs assessment tools

Recognising and supporting dancers at risk of Relative Energy Deficiency starts with the right tools. Below are some of the validated questionnaires used by clinicians and researchers to assess risk of low energy availability and REDs. These are not self-diagnostic tools - instead, they provide health professionals with structured ways of spotting patterns that may need further support or care.

At Project RED-D, we share these resources to highlight the progress being made in REDs research and to encourage best practice in dance healthcare.

Validated Screening Tools

  • LEAF-Q (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire) A validated tool used to help identify symptoms of low energy availability and REDs risk in female athletes over 18, focusing on the physiological symptoms of insufficient intake.

  • LEAM-Q (Low Energy Availability in Males Questionnaire) A validated tool used to screen for REDs risk in male athletes, over 18. Focusing on the physiological symptoms of insufficient intake.

Dance-Specific Tools

  • DEAQ (Dance-specific Energy Availability Questionnaire) Created specifically for dancers, this questionnaire reflects the culture and demands of the dance world. While not yet externally validated, it is widely used in the dance population and represents an important step forward in tailoring REDs assessment to dancers.

Note for dancers: These tools are designed for healthcare professionals. If you’re worried about REDs, the best step is to talk to a trusted healthcare professional. They may use structured tools like these - alongside an individual assessment - to support your health and wellbeing.