High School Athletes and Nutritional Supplements: A Study of Knowledge and Use

Abstract

Factors influencing nutritional supplement use by high school students were assessed. Comparisons were made between various groups of sports participants and non-sports participants. The Nutritional Supplement Use and Knowledge Scale was administered to 509 students. Mean supplement use score was 10.87 (SEM= 0.50, range 0-57). Mean knowledge score was 13.56 (SEM =0.16, range 1-21). Significant relationships (p< .01) were obtained for supplement knowledge with use, and supplement use with gender. ANOVA found significant differences between supplement use by gender (p< .01), supplement use by sports category (p< .05), and knowledge scores by sports category (p< .01). Discriminant function analysis indicated knowledge, supplement use, and subscores for protein, vitamins/minerals, and carbohydrates were best discriminators of sport group membership. Greater knowledge about supplements was associated with less use; hence, education about supplements can be a deterrent to use. This study may help coaches, athletic trainers, athletic directors, teachers, physicians, and parents identify nutritional misconceptions held by adolescents.

Initial investigation of nutrition and supplement use, knowledge and attitudes of under-16 rugby players in South Africa

“…This may indicate the need for food-based nutritional interventions, as the relationship between dietary education and a positive effect on knowledge has been highlighted in other intervention studies. [1,13] Resorting to supplements as a means to build muscle mass rather than improving their diets is problematic. Although most players did not believe that supplements were required for peak performance, it is of concern that 68% believed that protein supplements were required for increasing muscle mass and almost half of the players believed that they could take creatine.…”

“…This despite the fact that the international consensus on creatine use suggests that it should be limited to experienced and well-matured athletes, because it may lead to increased injuries and have a gateway effect. [4,5] Several international studies [4][5][6][10][11][12][13] of both elite and school-level adolescents in Western countries have indicated that supplements are commonly used, particularly by athletes who do weight training. In international research the type of supplements most commonly used varied somewhat depending on the study, but included multivitamins and single-nutrient supplements, e.g.…”

“…This is an important area to study as intervention studies have previously shown that better knowledge can positively effect nutritional practices. [13] The objective of this study was to investigate the nutrition knowledge, basic attitudes and supplement use of four different groups of national-level under-16 (U16) rugby players over 4 consecutive years.…”

“…[1] Other studies in adolescent athletes in other sports have shown a similar trend. [5,[9][10][11][12][13] In a recent SA study Varsity Cup players' (mean (standard deviation (SD) age 21.9 (1.2) years) habitual dietary intakes and match-day strategies were found to be suboptimal, and supplement use was high. [14] In other studies supplement use has also been linked to pressure from coaches, peers, competitors and parents, [4,6] often reinforced by unsubstantiated and exaggerated claims made by an industry which is practically unregulated.…”

Consumo de produtos vitamínicos entre universitários de São Paulo, SP

“…2,3 Em geral, a suplementação da dieta parece ser motivada pela preocupação com a saúde, associada à avaliação negativa da própria dieta e realizada como uma prática preventiva por quem acredita em seus benefícios.…”