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Cited by 17Nutrition, Health and Food BehaviorNutrition and Health StudiesRecreational Sport and Physical Activity

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 45 of the 45 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 53 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

General and sport-specific nutrition knowledge and behaviors of adolescent athletes

Open access
Gibbs, Ronald L., Becker, Tyler Brian·2025·Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

Abstract

Introduction Most youth do not meet national nutrition recommendations and overconsume high-calorie, low nutrient-dense foods. Adequate nutritional intake is crucial for growth and development. Nutrition practices play a key role in sports performance and recovery. Nutritional knowledge can affect eating patterns. However, there is limited research on general and sport-specific nutrition knowledge and behaviors of adolescent athletes.Purpose To examine general and sport-specific nutrition knowledge and behaviors of adolescent athletes.Methods Adolescent athletes were assessed on nutrition knowledge and general and sport-specific nutrition behaviors, including food group consumption, hydration practices, and sport supplement use. Gender differences in general and sport-specific nutrition behaviors were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test. Odds ratios and logistic regression, controlling for age, ethnicity, and years in sport participation were used to determine differences in correct responses between genders. Significance was set at the p < 0.05 level.Results One hundred and ninety-four athletes (n = 63 male, n = 132 female, mean age = 14.9 ± 1.63 years) were assessed. Differences in nutrition behaviors were found in fruit, dairy, and sugary beverage consumption between genders. Male athletes were more likely to monitor hydration and use sports supplements. Both males and females scored less than 50% on both general and sport-specific knowledge questions.Conclusion Adolescent athletes report lower than recommended food group consumption and lack knowledge of general and sport-specific nutrition information. Improvements in these areas can play a significant role in the health and performance of adolescent athletes.

Overview

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional survey of 194 adolescent athletes found low general and sport-specific nutrition knowledge and suboptimal dietary behaviors, with several gender differences in food, hydration, and supplement practices. Both males and females scored below 50% on general and sport-specific nutrition knowledge questions.

Key findings

  • In 194 athletes (n = 63 male; results report n = 131 female, abstract n = 132 female; mean age = 14.9 ± 1.63 years), females consumed more fruit (1.50 ± 1.00 vs. 1.15 ± 0.95 times/day; p = 0.04), while males reported higher dairy (3.70 ± 1.91 vs. 2.35 ± 1.91; p < 0.001), sugary beverage (1.12 ± 1.19 vs. 0.76 ± 1.09; p = 0.004), and Unhealthy Food Index scores (8.63 ± 5.48 vs. 6.20 ± 3.53; p = 0.002).
  • Male athletes were more likely to monitor hydration (p = 0.02) and use sport supplements (p < 0.001); female athletes reported higher vitamin/mineral supplement use (p = 0.01). Post-competition meal consumption was higher in females but only trending (p = 0.07).
  • Both sexes scored less than 50% on general and sport-specific nutrition knowledge questions. Females were more likely to correctly identify USDA MyPlate food groups (76.8% vs. 61.4%; p = 0.03; adjusted OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.12–4.59) and saturated fats as inflammation/recovery-delaying (54.4% vs. 36.8%; p = 0.03; adjusted OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.11–4.18).
  • Males were more likely to correctly identify the percentage of daily calories from protein (66.7% vs. 45.6%; p = 0.01; adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.20–0.78) and that most athlete carbohydrates should be complex (59.6% vs. 39.2%; p = 0.01; adjusted OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24–0.89). More females than males correctly identified simple carbohydrates (14.4% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.01), but this relationship disappeared after adjustment.

Methods

  • Baseline cross-sectional survey of adolescent athletes recruited through the Peak Health and Performance program from Michigan, Arizona, and California; Michigan participants from 2016–2019 and Arizona/California participants from 2021–2023; 194 completed baseline.
  • Dietary behaviors used a subset of the School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey, with Healthy Food Index and Unhealthy Food Index; knowledge used a 20-item general/sport-specific nutrition knowledge subset; sport-specific behaviors used seven 5-point Likert items.
  • Analyses: t-tests/chi-squares for descriptive comparisons; Mann-Whitney U for ordinal nutrition behaviors; chi-square and logistic regression controlling for age, ethnicity, and years in sport participation; significance p < 0.05; SPSS version 28.

Limitations

  • The paper states: a convenience sample from Michigan, Texas, and California may not be generalizable (methods instead say Arizona, an evident discrepancy); self-reported behaviors may not reflect actual dietary intake; dietary screener validity is supported; food access/availability was not measured.
  • Evident: the cross-sectional baseline design cannot establish causality; gender imbalance (63 males vs. 131/132 females) and males were significantly older (15.4 ± 1.25 vs. 14.6 ± 1.74 years; p < 0.001); the female n and state list are inconsistently reported across abstract, methods, and limitations.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/15502783.2025.2477060

Cites

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. U.S.D.o. Agriculture and U.S.D.o.H.a.H. Services, editors. Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. 9th ed.
  2. Gibbs RL, Becker TB. An evidence-based sports nutrition curriculum for youth. Sports J. 2021;24(6):1–15.

Metadata

Authors
Gibbs, R. L., & Becker, T. B.
Affiliations
Michigan State University (US)
Corresponding author
Gibbs, Ronald L.
Venue
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Published
2025-03-10
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
2477060-2477060
ISSN
1550-2783 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4408289242
Cited by
17
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 3
FWCI
8.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Michigan State University
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
  • Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Recreational Sport and Physical Activity
Keywords
youth athletes, nutrition knowledge, nutrition behavior, hydration practices, food group intake, gender differences, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, athletic performance
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Dairy Products, Diet, Feeding Behavior, Female, Fruit, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Sex Factors, Dietary Supplements, Athletes, Sports Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

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