Journals / Gaziantep Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1

Eating Behaviours and Body Mass Index in Children Participating in Gymnastics Training: The Role of Training Age

Cimnastik Antrenmanına Katılan Çocuklarda Yeme Davranışları ve Beden Kitle İndeksi: Antrenman Yaşının Rolü

Gökmen Özen(Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Fakültesi)0000-0001-5756-653X
Osman Emir Saraç(ÇANAKKALE ONSEKİZ MART ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-5392-7115
Pages
20–34
Publication Date
2026-07-01
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings indicate that, in evaluating body composition in child athletes, not only training duration but also the behavioural and emotional aspects of nutrition should be taken into consideration.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional behaviours of children participating in gymnastics training according to their training age.
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Key Findings & Data:The study group consisted of 102 children (92 girls and 10 boys) aged between 4 and 12 years.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings indicate that, in evaluating body composition in child athletes, not only training duration but also the behavioural and emotional aspects of nutrition should be taken into consideration.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Antrenman · Beden kütle · Beslenme davranışı

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional behaviours of children participating in gymnastics training according to their training age. The study group consisted of 102 children (92 girls and 10 boys) aged between 4 and 12 years. In the study, the “Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire” was used as a data collection tool to determine the children’s nutritional behaviours. The questionnaire was completed by the children’s parents. SPSS 20 software was used for the statistical analysis of the data. No significant differences were found between the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire sub-dimension mean scores of the children grouped according to training age as 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years or more (p > .05). However, a positive relationship was found between the children’s mean Body Mass Index values and the emotional over-eating and enjoyment of food sub-dimension scores, while a negative relationship was observed with the emotional under-eating and slowness in eating sub-dimension scores (p < .05). It was determined that training age did not have a determining effect on the nutritional behaviours of children participating in gymnastics training. However, significant relationships were found between some emotional dimensions of eating behaviour and Body Mass Index. These findings indicate that, in evaluating body composition in child athletes, not only training duration but also the behavioural and emotional aspects of nutrition should be taken into consideration.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, cimnastik antrenmanına katılımın çocukların beslenme davranışları üzerindeki etkisini, cimnastik antrenman yaşlarına göre incelemektir. Çalışma grubunu, yaşları 4 ile 12 arasında değişen 102 çocuk (92 kız ve 10 erkek) oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada, çocukların beslenme davranışlarını belirlemek amacıyla veri toplama aracı olarak “Çocuk Yeme Davranışı Anketi” kullanılmıştır. Anket, çocukların ebeveynleri tarafından doldurulmuştur. Verilerin istatistiksel analizinde SPSS 20 programı kullanılmıştır. Antrenman yaşına göre 1 yıl, 2 yıl ve 3 yıl ve üzeri şeklinde gruplandırılan çocukların, Çocuk Yeme Davranışı Anketi alt boyut ortalama puanları arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p > .05). Bununla birlikte, çocukların ortalama Beden Kitle İndeksi değerleri ile duygusal aşırı yeme ve yemekten keyif alma alt boyut puanları arasında pozitif yönlü; duygusal az yeme ve yavaş yeme alt boyut puanları arasında ise negatif yönlü bir ilişki saptanmıştır (p < .05). Cimnastik antrenmanına katılan çocuklarda antrenman yaşının beslenme davranışları üzerinde belirleyici bir etkisi bulunmamıştır. Ancak beslenme davranışlarının bazı duygusal boyutları ile Beden Kitle İndeksi arasında anlamlı ilişkiler olduğu görülmüştür. Bu bulgular, çocuk sporcularda beden kompozisyonunun değerlendirilmesinde yalnızca antrenman süresinin değil, beslenmenin davranışsal ve duygusal boyutlarının da dikkate alınması gerektiğini göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Özen, G., Saraç, O. E. (2026). Eating Behaviours and Body Mass Index in Children Participating in Gymnastics Training: The Role of Training Age. Gaziantep Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1, 20–34. https://doi.org/10.31680/gaunjss.1886880

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