The effect of nutrition education sessions on energy availability, body composition, eating attitude and sports nutrition knowledge in young female endurance athletes.

Nutrition knowledge plays a pivotal role in shaping dietary habits and food choices, particularly in the realm of sports nutrition. This study investigates the effects of a series of nutrition education sessions conducted by a registered dietitian on energy availability, various anthropometric measurements, eating attitudes, and sports nutrition knowledge in young female endurance athletes aged 15-18 years (football, basketball, volleyball) who engage in training for more than 10 h per week (n = 83). Participants were randomly divided into two groups with 45 individuals receiving six physical nutrition education lectures, and the remaining 38 participants receiving no nutrition education. Participants completed the low energy availability in females questionnaire (LEAF-Q), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), and Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (SNKQ). Energy and nutrient intakes were evaluated through 3-day food records, while exercise energy expenditure was assessed using 3-day activity logs. All of the questionnaires were repeated after 6 months. At baseline, the prevalence of LEA among athletes was determined to be 63.8%. In the intervention group, energy availability (EA) and SNKQ scores increased, and LEAF-Q scores decreased significantly (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in EAT-26 scores between the two groups. Energy intake, weight, fat-free mass, and resting metabolic rate have been increased significantly in the intervention group (p < 0,05). These findings suggest that nutrition education proves beneficial in enhancing dietary intake, positively influencing body composition, and improving nutrition knowledge, ultimately contributing to increased energy availability in female athletes over the short term.

Vegetable and Fruit Consumption and Its Relationship with Body Mass Index in Adults: A Cross-Sectional and Seasonal Research from Türkiye.

This study examines the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and the BMI in Türkiye. In this cross-sectional study, which 6332 adults were included, fruit and vegetable consumption, and preferences were collected. The quantities of vegetables and fruits were classified based on the WHO and the national recommendations. Of the adults (33.39 ± 12.59 years), 52.9% of men and 39.7% of women had an above-normal BMI. Based on WHO recommendations, overweight and obese people consumed less vegetables and fruits compared to their counterparts (ORs for women, overweight: 1.2, obese: 1.3; ORs for men, overweight: 1.3, obese: 1.5; 95% CI). The regression analysis revealed that the quantities of vegetable and fruit intake were higher in young individuals, men, and married people. Although the majority consume more than 400 g/day of vegetables and fruits, the intake is inadequate in people with obesity.