Sport Nutrition Knowledge, Behaviors and Beliefs of High School Soccer Players

Abstract

For adolescent athletes (14–18 years), data on sport nutrition knowledge, behaviors and beliefs are limited, especially based on sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. High school soccer players (n = 535; 55% female; 51% White, 41% Latino; 41% National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participants (80% Latino)) completed two questionnaires (demographic/health history and sport nutrition). The sport nutrition knowledge score was 45.6% with higher scores in NSLP-Whites vs. NSLP-Latinos (p < 0.01). Supplement knowledge differed by sex (16% lower in females; p = 0.047) and race/ethnicity (33% lower in Latinos; p < 0.001). Breakfast consumption was 57%; females ate breakfast less (50%) than males (60%; p < 0.001); NSLP-participants ate breakfast less (47%) than non-NSLP (62%; p < 0.001). Supplement use was 46%, with Latinos using more supplements than Whites do (p = 0.016). Overall, 30% used protein shakes, with females using less than males (p = 0.02), while use was twice as likely in Latino vs. White (p = 0.03). Overall, 45% reported their nutrient requirements were different from non-athlete peers. Latinos were less likely (p = 0.03) to report that their diet met nutritional requirements, but more than twice as likely to report that nutritional supplements were necessary for training (p < 0.001). Adolescent athletes, especially females and Latinos, would benefit from sport nutrition education that enhances food selection skills for health and sport performance.

IOC consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S): 2018 update

“…In another study of young Kenyan female athletes, middle-distance and long-distance runners were found to exhibit one or more subclinical and/or clinical components of the RED-S, including a greater risk for LEA and menstrual dysfunction than controls 52. A study of sport nutrition knowledge, behaviours and beliefs across sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status in high school soccer players identified that general sports nutrition knowledge is lower in adolescent soccer players compared with prior reports in adolescent athletes and that specifically females and Latinos may benefit from sport nutrition education 53. Published research is greatly lacking on RED-S in African-American, Hispanic and Asian athletes, with a few exceptions 54 55.…”

The Effects of Low- and High-Glycemic Index Sport Nutrition Bars on Metabolism and Performance in Recreational Soccer Players

“…In these previous studies, boiled lentils were compared to high-GI foods (i.e., mashed potatoes with egg whites added to match for protein), but these meals may not be typical before matches for soccer players (or other athletes involved in sports with high-intensity intervals). Endurance athletes often consume sport nutrition bars [23] and surveys of youth soccer players indicate that about 37% consume food, such as sport nutrition bars, up to 1 h before games in an attempt to improve performance [24]; however, the effectiveness of a sport nutrition bar for soccer performance has never been evaluated. From a practical point of view, using sport nutrition bars (high-CHO) can be considered when time is limited before the start of competition.…”

Attitudes toward Nutrition and Dietary Habits and Effectiveness of Nutrition Education in Active Adolescents in a Private School Setting: A Pilot Study

“…What if nutrition education were introduced at an earlier age and performance enhancing dietary habits began before the athletes started competing at the collegiate level? Until now, multiple studies have acknowledged the lack of nutrition knowledge in adolescents [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], but few studies have taken the next step in determining how to best educate adolescents on nutrition-related topics.…”

“…Many adolescent athletes believe that diet is important for sport performance while also reporting their diet does not currently meet recommended nutritional requirements for sport [ 5 , 8 ]. When incoming collegiate freshman football players were asked about their desire to learn about nutrition related topics, 97% of athletes expressed a desire to learn about nutrition for peak performance, 81% sought to learn about weight gain, and 71% wanted tips on eating out [ 10 ].…”