Risk of low energy availability and nutrition knowledge among female team sport athletes.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nutrition knowledge influences adequate dietary intake in athletes. Inadequate dietary intakes can result in low energy availability (LEA) which can lead to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). To date, there is little information on the relationship between nutrition knowledge and the risk of LEA in female team sport athletes. This study investigates if general and sports nutrition knowledge are associated with the risk of LEA in female team athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Female athletes (>16 years) who participate in team sports in New Zealand were asked to complete an online questionnaire. The LEA in Females Questionnaire and the Abridged Sport Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire were included. LEA risk and general/sports nutrition knowledge were assessed. The relationship between LEA risk and knowledge was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis Test of independent variables and χ2 tests. RESULTS: Among 100 female athletes, 53% were at-risk for LEA, and 70% (N.=67) had poor nutrition knowledge. Athletes who were "at-risk" for LEA and those who were "not at-risk" for LEA did not differ statistically in terms of age (P=0.350) or BMI (P=0.576). Of those "not at risk" 54% had an A-NSK score between 50 and 60% (i.e., average knowledge), whereas 54% of the athletes who were "at risk" for LEA had poor nutrition knowledge. There was no statistical difference between the groups (P=0.273). CONCLUSIONS: The poor nutrition knowledge and the high rates of those "at risk" of LEA among team sports athletes indicates the need for more nutrition education in this population.