Does Nutrition Literacy Influence Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Measurements in Youth Football Players?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71350/ijpanh.38Keywords:
Adolescent football players, Anthopmetric measurements, Food intake, NSKQ, Sports nutritionAbstract
Optimal athletic performance and overall health in football players require adherence to appropriate dietary guidelines, which depend on adequate nutrition knowledge. This study aims to evaluate nutrition literacy among youth football players and to determine whether these levels influence their dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. The nutritional status of youth football players was evaluated using food consumption records in line with the Turkish Dietary Guidelines (TÜBER). Nutrition literacy was measured using the Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (NSKQ). A total of 96 youth football players participated in the study, with a median age of 15.00 years. Among them, 40.6% reported that they had received nutrition education, and 61.5% of these participants stated that the education was provided by a dietitian. According to World Health Organization growth references (WHO), 97.9% of the players were classified as having normal weight; however, 86.4% were found to have inadequate nutritional status. The median nutrition knowledge score was 25.00, indicating low levels of nutrition knowledge, with 96.87% of participants falling into the poor knowledge category. Based on the Turkish Dietary Guidelines, insufficient intake was identified in 57.6% of participants for energy, 10% for carbohydrates, 20% for protein, and 41.4% for fat. Higher nutrition knowledge scores were positively associated with fiber, magnesium, and potassium intakeDespite many players reporting nutrition education from dietitians, youth football players demonstrated poor sports nutrition knowledge and inadequate energy and nutrient intake. These findings highlight the importance of individualized and continuous dietitian-led nutrition support to improve dietary practices among youth athletes.
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