AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightIt was concluded that athletes' body perception levels affect their nutritional behavior and eating attitudes, causing habits such as skipping meals and resorting to diets.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the nutritional habits, eating behaviors and body perceptions of adolescent athletes. 304 volunteer adolescent (Female n: 154, Male n: 150) licensed athletes between the ages of 16-18 in basketball and volleyball clubs participated in the study. The athletes were interviewed face to face, their personal information and anthropometric measurements were taken, Eating Habits Questionnaire for Adolescents (EHQA), the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) were answered, and the Food Consumption Record was used to evaluate daily food intake. It was determined that the athletes' nutritional habits were good (EHQA: 123.94±14.74) but their body perception was low (SPAS: 31.47±10.60). Social physics anxiety of volleyball players (n:154) was found to be significantly higher than basketball players (n:150) (p<0.05). It was concluded that athletes' body perception levels affect their nutritional behavior and eating attitudes, causing habits such as skipping meals and resorting to diets. The increased risk of low body image and eating disorders in adolescent athletes negatively affects the health of the individual in later periods of their lives. It would be beneficial to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial and nutritional assessment using questionnaires and anthropometric measurements for adolescent athletes, and to provide detailed face-to-face training to athletes and their environment by a dietitian, doctor and psychologist who are experts in nutrition and body perception.