scholarly journals Nutritional Status and Implementation of a Nutritional Education Program in Young Female Artistic Gymnasts

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1399
Author(s):  
Antoni Aguilo ◽  
Leticia Lozano ◽  
Pedro Tauler ◽  
Mar Nafría ◽  
Miquel Colom ◽  
...  

Adolescent high-performance gymnasts are considered to be at risk for low energy intake. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of implementing a nutritional education program during the sports season on the nutritional status and nutrition knowledge of the female artistic gymnasts from the Technification Center of the Balearic Islands (n = 24; age, 14.1 ± 2.3 years). A quasi-experimental intervention design was applied, which consisted of implementing a nutritional education program of seven sessions given during eight months. Measurements of nutritional intake, nutrition knowledge, and anthropometric parameters, as well as hematological and biochemical blood parameters, were performed. Gymnasts reported low energy and carbohydrate intakes, with significant increases during the study (energy, 28.3 ± 1.4 vs. 32.8 ± 1.4 kcal kg−1, p = 0.015, carbohydrate 3.20 ± 0.20 vs. 3.92 ± 0.22 g kg−1, p = 0.004). The average values for parameters such as hemoglobin, ferritin, lipoprotein, and vitamin C and E levels in the plasma were within normal ranges. Low intakes of most of the food groups were observed during the study, with similar initial and final values. Nutrition knowledge did not change as a result of the study (28.0 ± 1.7 vs. 31.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.185). In conclusion, gymnasts reported low energy intakes. However, blood markers and most of the anthropometrical parameters measured were within normal ranges. The nutrition education program implemented did not produce significant improvements in the dietary habits or nutritional knowledge of gymnasts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Sachie Mori ◽  
Satoshi Sasaki ◽  
Yuji Nishiwaki

Abstract Background Since the risk of noncommunicable diseases is closely associated with dietary intake, it is important to establish healthy dietary habits in childhood. Although several dietary education programs for children have been attempted, their implementation at school was often difficult due to overcrowded study curricula. We developed a new program which included homework for children and guardians, and evaluated its effect. Determinants of the effect were also investigated. Methods The school-based nutrition education program including a 45-min lecture, a series of homework assignments involving children and guardians, and two handouts was implemented in 14 public primary schools in Japan. Seven schools each underwent the intervention in an alternating manner. Nutrition knowledge (percentage (%) of correct answers in the nutrition knowledge questionnaire) and attitude/behavior toward diet was evaluated three times (May (baseline), October, February) as outcomes. These factors and their changes following the intervention were assessed by linear mixed models to adjust for individual factors, with consideration to clustering of the participants and repeated measurements. Results In total, 2227 children aged 10–12 years and their guardians participated. All schools completed the program. Children’s nutrition knowledge level was significantly increased (8.7%, 95% confidence interval [7.7–9.7]) following the intervention. Communication between children and their guardians, which was positively related with nutrition knowledge, was facilitated by the intervention. The increase in nutrition knowledge was greater among children with a lower knowledge level at baseline. Conclusions This school-based nutrition education program was effective and feasible. Appropriate teaching materials for homework can reduce the burden on schools and facilitate communication between children and guardians. Public schools can be crucial venues for decreasing disparities in nutrition knowledge. Trial registration This study was registered as an intervention study in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (trial ID: UMIN000029252) on Sep 22, 2017.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-251
Author(s):  
Houda Elfane ◽  
◽  
Sanaa El-Jamal ◽  
Mohamed Mziwira ◽  
Imane Barakat ◽  
...  

<abstract><sec> <title>Background</title> <p>Maternal malnutrition is a global concern whose consequences for newborns are intrauterine growth retardation, fetal hypotrophy and exposure to risks of pathologies in adulthood.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Objective</title> <p>The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diet quality and nutritional status of pregnant women at the time of childbirth while assessing their newborn's weight at birth.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Materials and methods</title> <p>The study involved 400 parturient, divided into two groups of 200 each, the controls who have just given birth to newborns of normal weight and the cases who have just given birth to babies of low birth weight (LBW). Information on food intakes and dietary habits were collected using questionnaires and anthropometric parameters were measured.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Results</title> <p>The mean body mass index (BMI) of the cases was 25.93 ± 2.64 kg/m<sup>2</sup> vs. 28.25 ± 2.75 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in the controls. The dietary diversity and variety scores were higher in the controls than in the cases. Indeed means were 6.87 ± 1.30 vs. 8.88 ± 1.35 food groups for the diversity scores and 11.77 ± 1.57 vs. 15.90 ± 2.09 food items for the variety scores in the cases and the controls respectively. The average daily intakes of folates, calcium, iron and zinc were lower than the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) for both groups. The daily calcium intake represents only 1/5th of the RDI for the cases and 1/3 for the controls. Average dietary iron intake was insufficient at only 49% of the daily requirement for cases vs. 66.88% for controls while folates accounts for 64.33% of the RDA for the cases.</p> </sec><sec> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Data from this study shows that the diets of women who have given birth to low birth weight infants are poorly diversified, poorly varied, and poor in certain nutrients essential for a successful pregnancy and childbirth.</p> </sec></abstract>


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Kobe ◽  
Matevž Štimec ◽  
Cirila Hlastan Ribič ◽  
Nataša Fidler Mis

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the food intake of Slovenian adolescents and to compare it with food-based dietary guidelines developed for children and adolescents, named the Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD). The OMD is a useful tool for the evaluation of food intake of adolescents.DesignAll adolescents completed an FFQ at a regional health centre; a subgroup also completed a 3 d weighed dietary protocol at home.SettingThis study is a part of the first national representative study on the dietary habits of Slovenian adolescents.SubjectsThis cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 2813 Slovenian adolescents entering high school, aged 14–17 years, from all ten geographical regions of Slovenia.ResultsThe greatest deviations from the recommended intakes of the main food groups in the OMD were significantly lower intakes of (P < 0·001, mean): vegetables (179 and 163 g/d in boys and girls, respectively), bread/cereals (271 and 226 g/d), potatoes/rice/pasta (212 and 163 g/d); in boys also a significantly lower intake of fruits (mean: 321 g/d, P < 0·001) and a significantly higher intake of meat/meat products (mean: 126 g/d, P < 0·001). Additionally, the results show too high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and too low intakes of fish and plant oils in both genders.ConclusionsThe food intake pattern of Slovenian adolescents deviates markedly from a healthy eating pattern. Nutrition education and interventions are needed for Slovenian adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo C. Noronha ◽  
Monique I. A. F. Santos ◽  
Adrianny A. Santos ◽  
Lizia G. A. Corrente ◽  
Rúbia K. N. Fernandes ◽  
...  

Nutrition education is one of the factors that may help to promote behavior change and therefore may improve the dietary habits of adolescent soccer players. However, information about the relationship between nutrition knowledge (NK) and the dietary behavior of these athletes is scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eating habits of adolescent soccer players and analyse the correlations among dietary intake and NK. Seventy-three Brazilian adolescent soccer players (aged 14–19 years), from four professional clubs, underwent anthropometric evaluation and completed 3-day food records. Misreporting of energy intake was evaluated and the dietary intake data were energy-adjusted and compared with recommendations for athletes and dietary reference intakes. The athletes also answered a questionnaire about barriers for healthy eating and a nutrition knowledge test divided into three sections: Basic Nutrition Knowledge (BNK), Sports Nutrition Knowledge (SNK), and Food Pyramid Nutrition Knowledge (FPNK). The participants showed a low NK (54.6%) and an inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. A positive correlation was found between the ingestion of phosphorus and FPNK as well as among calcium and both SNK and Total NK (p<0.05). Sodium intake was negatively correlated with all categories of the NK test (p<0.05). The adolescents reported that the principal barriers for adopting a healthy diet were the lack of willpower and a busy lifestyle. In this context, nutrition education is recommended and should also provide practicable healthy eating goals according to athletes´ lifestyle as well as target motivational barriers to increase adherence.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Keshani ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Mousavi ◽  
Zahra Mirzaei ◽  
Zeinab Hematdar ◽  
Najmeh Maayeshi ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jadwiga Hamulka ◽  
Lidia Wadolowska ◽  
Monika Hoffmann ◽  
Joanna Kowalkowska ◽  
Krystyna Gutkowska

To increase teenagers’ nutrition knowledge is an important target and has the potential to improve their dietary habits and lifestyle while reducing incidences of obesity-related non-communicable diseases throughout the whole lifespan. This study protocol presents the general approach and details of an assessment of nutritional knowledge, attitudes toward nutrition, diet quality, lifestyle and body composition that have been used to comprehensively evaluate the cross-behavioral patterns covering dietary and lifestyle behaviors in Polish teenagers. The study was designed in two paths as: a cross-sectional study (covering 1569 students) and an education-based intervention study (464 students) with a 9-month follow-up. We describe a short form of the food frequency questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren) used to collect data and details of diet-related and lifestyle-related education program, which was developed and implemented by academic researchers involved in the study. We also describe details of the data development and statistical analysis, including multidimensional methods of clustering variables to identify cross-behavioral patterns covering diet and lifestyle. The results of the study will provide evidence-based support for preventive health care to promote normal growth and development of young population and reduce the risk of diet-related diseases in adulthood, by early shaping of adequate dietary and lifestyle behaviors. In the future, well-tailored education programs addressed to teenagers can be created as an important public health action, based on our results.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Janet AgyarkwaaOti ◽  
Guy Eshun

Even though empirical evidence exists to validate the avowal that dietary habits hold the key in reducing the surge in non-communicable diseases among adolescents and young adults and for optimal nutritional status, little is known about the nexus of these variables in the Ghanaian context and much less in Ghanaian universities. In view of this dearth in literature, this study investigated dietary habits and its effect on nutritional status among undergraduate students of the Winneba Campus of University of Education, Winneba. Using the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) as the theoretical basis, this study adopted the cross-sectional descriptive survey research design with the quantitative approach where proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 3,065 students for the study. The assessment of nutritional status was done where height and weight were measured in Kg/m2and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on the recommendations by the World Health Organization. Data on the dietary habits was collected with a closed-ended questionnaire which was analyzed using both descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation as well as inferential statistics such as multiple regression.The study discovered that undergraduate students of the University of Education, Winneba, were of normal weight than overweight and underweight while obesity was ranked the least. The study further revealed that even though students moderately consumed fish, meat, eggs and dairy products legumes and nuts, they had a low intake of fruits and vegetables, but high consumption of energy-dense foods and fast foods such as cakes, pastries, cookies, deep-fried foods, biscuits, sandwiches, indomie and of soft drinks. It was further established that majority of the students skipped meals notably breakfast. Besides, the study showed that all the dietary habits outlined in the study collectively contributed significantly to students’ nutritional status. Therefore, it is recommended that the University through its health directorate and the Department of Food and Nutrition should regularly organize health talks and symposiums to admonish students on the dangers of not observing optimal dietary habits. Additionally, the University through its Academic Board should introduce a general course on nutrition education to equip students with current theories in dietary practices for improved dietary habits.


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