RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Endurance runners exhibit an elevated prevalence of low bone mass and characteristics consistent with undernourishment. OBJECTIVE: This quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design study evaluated the efficacy of a 4-week nutrition education curriculum to optimize nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and the intake of nutrient-rich carbohydrate foods. METHODS: Forty-eight adolescent endurance runners, age 15.7 ± 1.2 y, from two high schools in Southern California were recruited to complete four, weekly lessons addressing the quantity, quality, and timing of carbohydrate intake. Differences in pre- compared to post-intervention nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy to consume nutrient-rich carbohydrate foods were evaluated using paired samples t-tests. Qualitative coding of open-response questions explored changes in food intake behaviors reported by runners during the intervention. RESULTS: The percent of nutrition knowledge questions answered correctly increased after Lessons 1 and 2 (59.0% ± 20.0% pre- vs. 81.9% ± 22.8% post-Lesson 1; 44.7% ± 13.7% pre- vs. 74.5% ± 17.4% post-Lesson 2, P<.001) and the number of identified nutrient-rich carbohydrate foods (8.7 ± 2.7 vs. 12.4 ± 2.3, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy scores improved after all lessons (P<.001). After Lesson 2, 84% (n = 27/32) of runners increased the carbohydrate included in a snack or meal; after Lesson 4, 85% (n = 29/34) added a post-exercise snack. Frequent themes identified from questions addressing dietary changes included increasing quantity and quality of carbohydrates in snacks and meals and being more aware of food choices.Conclusions: Findings suggest that the curriculum enhanced nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and dietary behaviors related to intake of nutrient-dense carbohydrate foods in adolescent runners.
Assuntos
Dieta , Ingestão de Energia , Humanos , Adolescente , Autoeficácia , Nutrientes , Currículo , CarboidratosRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary supplement information needs among collegiate athletes. METHODS: Three hundred seven (nâ¯=â¯154 male; nâ¯=â¯153 female) student athletes participating in a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I team completed a dietary supplement survey. Qualitative coding addressed open-ended responses, and chi-square test of independence explored differences among athlete subgroups. RESULTS: Five themes representing athletes' information needs included quality/composition (53.5%; nâ¯=â¯77), general information (31.9%; nâ¯=â¯46), nutrition information (30.6%; nâ¯=â¯44), performance (18.8%; nâ¯=â¯27), and body composition (13.2%; nâ¯=â¯19). Athletes with "no" or "minimal" (nâ¯=â¯63), vs "moderate" or "strong" (nâ¯=â¯195), perceived knowledge of supplement safety were more likely to list a question about supplement quality or composition (34.9% [nâ¯=â¯22/63] vs 21.5% [n= 42/195]; Pâ¯=â¯.03; chi-squareâ¯=â¯4.6). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Further research is needed to corroborate findings to inform educational efforts and promote safe and effective use of dietary supplements by student athletes.