Level of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Weight Status among Adolescent Female Gymnasts: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Adolescent female gymnasts are a vulnerable population in terms of their diet, as their nutritional needs are higher due to their growth and high daily training demands. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a well-known dietary pattern that is associated with a greater nutritional adequacy and a lower prevalence of overweight. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the degree of adherence to the MD among adolescent female athletes who participated in all disciplines of gymnastics in Greece, as well as to explore the potential correlations between MD adherence, body weight, and body mass index (BMI). A total of 269 female gymnasts (between 11–18 years old) completed the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) and reported their weight and height. Approximately 10% of the participants were underweight and a mere 5.6% were classified as overweight. A high adherence to the MD was reported by 34.9% of the sample and this was correlated with a healthier BMI. Moreover, specific eating habits, such as eating nuts 2–3 times per week and eating fast-food less than once-weekly, were also associated with BMI. Athletes, parents, and coaches of gymnastics should be informed and educated regarding balanced nutrition habits. Future studies could evaluate adherence to MD, as well as the factors that influence the eating behaviors of adolescent female and male athletes in various sports.

Popular Dietary Trends’ Impact on Athletic Performance: A Critical Analysis Review

“…Adequate nutrition is critical to a sport such as female gymnastics, which includes long hours of training, starting at a young age, with high metabolic demands for growth. A study investigating adolescent gymnasts age 11–18 showed that those with a higher KIDMED score, a pediatric-adapted Mediterranean Diet Quality Index that measures adherence to the MedDiet, had a healthier body mass index compared to those that had lower adherence [ 25 ]. While on the MedDiet, it is crucial that all athletes, especially those at risk for malnutrition, especially gymnasts, runners, and dancers, where pressures exist to maintain a low body weight, consume the calories that they need to maintain a healthy weight.…”

Anorexic Readiness Syndrome in Elite Female Acrobatic Gymnasts—International Study

“…Most of the studies on nutritional patterns and attitudes in gymnasts has focused on athletes practicing WAG or MAG [ 8 , 16 , 27 , 34 ] and RG [ 20 , 59 ]. Only a few authors included in the studied groups gymnasts practicing TG or AG [ 11 , 15 , 17 , 21 , 37 , 42 ]. The knowledge about the risk of DE among acrobatic gymnasts is very limited so far.…”

“…In AG, as in other gymnastic sports, where optimal performance depends on the ability to overcome gravity and move the body rapidly through space, reduced body weight and especially fat mass are often considered a ‘benefit’. In combination with maximum muscle strength, it improves flexibility, strength, and exercise technique, and increases the power-to-weight ratio [ 37 ].…”

“…Gymnasts are often short and lean, and world-class gymnasts are even moderately thin. Additionally, puberty is often reported later in female gymnasts than in the general population [ 37 ]. This is because gymnasts begin intense training and specialization when they are few years old and reach their peak performance during adolescence.…”

“…Moreover, the undertaken research focused on various issues. Some studies analyzed the diet used by athletes [ 17 , 37 , 41 ], others were focused on identifying behaviors that indicate DE [ 28 , 32 ] or on psychological and cognitive risk factors [ 18 , 20 , 34 , 42 ].…”