Assessment of nutritional knowledge in female athletes susceptible to the Female Athlete Triad syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundThe study aimed to i) assess nutritional knowledge in female athletes susceptible to the Female Athlete Triad (FAT) syndrome and to compare with controls; and ii) to compare nutritional knowledge of those who were classified as being 'at risk' for developing FAT syndrome and those who are 'not at risk'.MethodsIn this study, participants completed General Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ), the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and survey measures of training/physical activity, menstrual and skeletal injury history. The sample consisted of 48 regional endurance athletes, 11 trampoline gymnasts and 32 untrained controls. Based on proxy measures for the FAT components, participants were classified being 'at risk' or 'not at risk' and nutrition knowledge scores were compared for the two groups. Formal education related to nutrition was considered.ResultsA considerably higher percentage of athletes were classified 'at risk' of menstrual dysfunction than controls (28.8% and 9.4%, respectively) and a higher percentage scored at or above the cutoff value of 20 on the EAT-26 test among athletes than controls (10.2% and 3.1%, respectively). 8.5% of athletes were classified 'at risk' for bone mineral density in contrast to none from the control group. Nutrition knowledge and eating attitude appeared to be independent for both athletes and controls. GNKQ scores of athletes were higher than controls but the differences between the knowledge of 'at risk' and 'not at risk' athletes and controls were inconsequential. Formal education in nutrition or closely related subjects does not have an influence on nutrition knowledge or on being classified as 'at risk' or 'not at risk'.ConclusionThe lack of difference in nutrition knowledge between 'at risk' and 'not at risk' athletes suggests that lack of information is not accountable for restricted eating associated with the Female Athlete Triad.

A valid and reliable nutrition knowledge questionnaire for track and field athletes

“…However, relative to the results from the NONUT group in the athletes scored 13.8 and 13% higher in these sections, both greater than the mean score difference of 11.4% respectively. Similar trends in nutrition knowledge disparity between athletes and non-athletes have been observed [22,23]. Furthermore, the difference in nutrition knowledge between the athletic population and nutrition trained group in this study are similar the previous research [14], providing further corroborating of the validity of the NKQA as a tool measure nutrition knowledge.…”

Effect of educational training on nutrition and weight control in under-18 Spanish wrestlers

“…The reason for this result could be that it was new knowledge for the athletes and it was perceived by them as appropriate, useful, and necessary. These results are similar to previous studies related to the positive effect of educational programs for preventing eating disorders 15,29 . The Junior National coaches also perceived the program as appropriate, useful, and necessary.…”

Nutrition Knowledge in Athletes: A Systematic Review

“…Table 1 summarizes the seven articles comparing nutrition knowledge of athletes with that of a nonathlete comparison group (Barr, 1987;Collison et al, 1996;Cupisti et al, 2002;Frederick & Hawkins, 1992;Guinard et al, 1995;Raymond-Barker et al, 2007;Worme et al, 1990). Comparison-group populations varied but were mostly university or college students.…”

“…In the other three studies assessing knowledge against a comparison sample, one (Frederick & Hawkins, 1992) recruited nutrition students and older women, another used age-matched high school students, and one used a mixed-gender sample recruited from a medical school or research institute. One study failed to report details on the participant characteristics of the comparison group (Raymond-Barker et al, 2007). Athletes from a variety of sports were represented in the athlete samples recruited, including distance running, cycling, swimming, track, gymnastics (n = 4), and a mix of team and individual sports (n = 3).…”