SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALnutrition, dietetics

cross-sectional·nutrition, dietetics, clinical nutrition, epidemiology, pediatrics·PMC10052043

Body Composition, Energy Availability, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Sport Nutrition Knowledge in Young Athletes

Nutrients · 10 authors, 7 centres

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional study investigated low energy availability and eating disorder risk in 94 male and female high school and collegiate athletes.

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This cross-sectional study investigated low energy availability and eating disorder risk in 94 male and female high school and collegiate athletes. Using survey tools (LEAF-Q, BEDA-Q, ASNK-Q) and body composition assessment, results showed 52.1% of female athletes were at risk for low energy availability. A higher percentage of female athletes (68.6%) were at risk for eating disorders compared to males (42.9%). Body fat percentage was a significant predictor for eating disorder risk, with each 1-unit increase associated with lower odds of being at risk. Athletes demonstrated poor sport nutrition knowledge, with no differences between sexes.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

nutrition

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10052043

Body Composition, Energy Availability, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Sport Nutrition Knowledge in Young Athletes

Nutrients

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ABSTRACT

Young athletes may be at risk for low energy availability (LEA) or dietary habits that are indicative of eating disorders. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of LEA among high school athletes and examine those at risk for eating disorders. A secondary aim was to examine relationships between sport nutrition knowledge, body composition, and LEA. Methods: 94 male ( n = 42) and female ( n = 52) mean ± SD age: 18.09 ± 2.44 y; height: 172.6 ± 9.8 cm; body mass: 68.7 ± 14.5 kg; BMI: 22.91 ± 3.3 kg·m −2 ) athletes completed a body composition assessment and electronic versions of the abridged sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ASNK-Q), brief eating disorder in athletes questionnaire (BEDA-Q), and the low energy availability for females questionnaire (LEAF-Q; females only). Results: 52.1% of female athletes were classified as being at risk for LEA. Moderate inverse relationships existed for computed LEAF-Q scores and BMI (r = −0.394; p < 0.01). A total of 42.9% of males ( n = 18) and 68.6% of females ( n = 35) were at risk for eating disorders, with females being at greater risk ( p < 0.01). Body fat percentage was a predictor (β = −0.095; p = −0.01) for eating disorder risk status. For every 1 unit increase in body fat percentage, athletes were 0.909 (95% CI: 0.845–0.977) times less likely to be classified as at risk for an eating disorder. Male (46.5 ± 13.9) and female (46.9 ± 11.4) athletes scored poorly on the ASNK-Q, with no differences between sex ( p = 0.895). Conclusions: Female athletes were at a greater risk for eating disorders. No relationships existed between sport nutrition knowledge and %BF. Female athletes with a higher %BF had a lower risk for an eating disorder and risk for LEA.

CITATION EXPORT

Meghan K. Magee, Margaret T. Jones, Jennifer B. Fields et al.. Body Composition, Energy Availability, Risk of Eating Disorder, and Sport Nutrition Knowledge in Young Athletes. Nutrients. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061502

AUTHORS

10 · 7 CENTRES

Meghan K. Magee, Margaret T. Jones, Jennifer B. Fields, Julie Kresta, Chinguun Khurelbaatar, Christopher Dodge, Brandon Merfeld, Abby Ambrosius, Makenna Carpenter, Andrew R. Jagim

1Frank Pettrone Center for Sports Performance, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
2Kinesiology, School of Sport Recreation and Tourism Management, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 22030, USA
3Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
4Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 01109, USA
5Exercise Physiology and Human Performance, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, Killeen, TX 76549, USA
6Exercise & Sport Science, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
7Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Lauri Byerley