Eating behaviours and nutrition knowledge among female varsity athletes at an Atlantic Canadian university

Isleifson, Hillary

Honours

2019

Rossiter, Misty
MacDonald, Dany

Faculty of Science. Honours in Kinesiology.

Applied Human Sciences

Applied Human Sciences

University of Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, PE

Adequate nutrition in athletes is important not only for the maintenance of general health but also for the role it plays in enhancing athletic performance. In spite of this, many athletes, especially females, consume inadequate diets (Andrews et al., 2016; dos Santos et al., 2008; Dunn et al., 2008; Rash et al., 2008; Torres-McGehee et al., 2012; Valliant et al., 2012). It has also been reported that student-athletes lack the nutrition knowledge necessary to make informed eating decisions. Show moreAdequate nutrition in athletes is important not only for the maintenance of general health but also for the role it plays in enhancing athletic performance. In spite of this, many athletes, especially females, consume inadequate diets (Andrews et al., 2016; dos Santos et al., 2008; Dunn et al., 2008; Rash et al., 2008; Torres-McGehee et al., 2012; Valliant et al., 2012). It has also been reported that student-athletes lack the nutrition knowledge necessary to make informed eating decisions. The purpose of this study was to describe eating behaviours and nutrition knowledge among female collegiate athletes at an Atlantic Canadian university at two time points. This study used 3-Day Food Records, the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Eating Behaviour and Lifestyle Survey to characterize the eating behaviours and nutrition knowledge of 25 female collegiate athletes at time one and 22 players time two. Results showed average diet quality did not meet the majority of nutrient recommendations for general health or enhanced athletic performance at time one and most nutrient intakes declined at time two. Nutrition knowledge increased from time one to time two. Based on these findings, an increase in nutrition knowledge does not necessarily translate to an increase in diet quality. Participants in the present study demonstrated recognition that a relationship between adequate nutrition and athletic performance exists, however; student-athletes face a variety of barriers to healthy eating beyond knowledge alone. Future nutrition interventions should address these barriers and focus on the application of knowledge in order to create lasting changes in eating behaviour. Show less

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