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Cited by 23Nutrition, Health and Food BehaviorEating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition and Health Studies

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

Open access
Aguilo, Antoni, Lozano, Leticia, Tauler, Pedro, Nafría, Mar, Colom, Miquel, Martínez, Sonia·2021·Nutrients

Abstract

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 3.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 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.

Overview

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TL;DR

In a quasi-experimental study of 24 young female artistic gymnasts at a Spanish technification center, an eight-month nutrition education program did not significantly improve dietary habits or nutrition knowledge, despite modest increases in energy and carbohydrate intake. Gymnasts reported low energy intakes throughout, yet blood markers and most anthropometric parameters remained within normal ranges.

Key findings

  • Energy intake was below recommended levels throughout but rose during the study (28.3 ± 1.4 vs. 32.8 ± 1.4 kcal·kg⁻¹, p = 0.015), as did carbohydrate intake (3.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 g·kg⁻¹, p = 0.004), still below the 5–6 g·kg⁻¹ suggested for athletes.
  • Nutrition knowledge did not change significantly with the intervention (28.0 ± 1.7 vs. 31.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.185), nor did Mediterranean diet adherence (7.21 ± 0.35 vs. 7.56 ± 0.24, p = 0.119) or diet diversity score (2.26 ± 0.35 vs. 2.60 ± 0.17, p = 0.295).
  • Blood markers (hemoglobin, ferritin, lipoproteins, vitamins C and E) were within normal ranges; two gymnasts had initial hemoglobin <12 g/dl and four had ferritin <15 ng/dl, but all values were adequate by the end. Mean EAT-26 score was 10.8 ± 8.7, with only one of 24 gymnasts scoring above the at-risk threshold of 20.
  • Weight, height, BMI, fat mass, muscle mass and fat-free mass all increased significantly (p < 0.001 for most), while fat mass percentage decreased (p = 0.003).

Methods

  • Quasi-experimental pre-post intervention design; 25 female gymnasts recruited from the Sports Technification Center of the Balearic Islands (one withdrew, n = 24; age 14.1 ± 2.3 years) across high-performance (n = 5), technification (n = 10) and follow-up (n = 9) levels.
  • Intervention: seven formative nutrition education sessions (45–90 min, monthly) over eight months (October 2008–May 2009) for gymnasts, coaches and/or parents, plus leaflets and individualized advice.
  • Measures at baseline, three and six months, and end: three 24-h recalls, semi-quantitative FFQ, nutrition knowledge questionnaire (61 items), EAT-26, hematological/biochemical blood parameters (HPLC for vitamins), anthropometry (ISAK, skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance), and heart-rate monitoring during training. Analysis used paired t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS (p < 0.05).

Limitations

  • Stated by the authors: the quasi-experimental design lacked a control group (no comparable group available; withholding the program was considered ethically inappropriate and contamination was expected); small sample size limiting generalizability; three 24-h recalls inadequate for proper micronutrient measurement, with likely under- or mis-reporting bias.
  • Evident in the text: the increase in carbohydrate/energy intake may reflect the start of the more demanding training season rather than the intervention (the authors themselves raise this); plasma vitamin D was not measured, so vitamin D status could not be assessed; the intervention's content, frequency, session number and duration are suggested by the authors as possibly inadequate.

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Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/nu13051399

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Figures

Figure 1 Intake of food groups with respect to recommendations at the beginning and end of the study. The results were expressed as the percentage of food group intake with respect to the recommendations for each group [32]. The 100% value represented the recommended intake.
Figure 1 Intake of food groups with respect to recommendations at the beginning and end of the study. The results were expressed as the percentage of food group intake with respect to the recommendations for each group [32]. The 100% value represented the recommended intake.CC BY · PubMed Central

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Hassan, 2020, Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: Recommendations and Reports, School Nutrition and Activity: Impacts on Well Being, Volume 60, 273
  2. Camargo, 2013, Physical Growth and Nutritional Status of Elite Rhythmic Gymnasts, Nutr. Clín. Diet. Hosp., 33, 31
  3. 2010, Diagnostic protocol for weight loss in adolescence, Medicine, 10, 4234
  4. Guerra, 2000, Susceptibilidade à Lipoperoxidaçao das LDL em Adolescentes do Sexo Feminino Practicantes de Ginástica Rítmica de Rendimiento, Rev. Port. Cardiol., 19, 1129
  5. Carrascosa, 2011, Estudios Españoles de Crecimiento 2010, Rev. Esp. Endocrinol. Pediatr., 2, 53
  6. Busquets, 2008, Talla, peso, somatotipo y composición corporal en gimnastas femeninas de élite a lo largo de la edad, Arch. Med. Deport., 25, 259

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Metadata

Authors
Aguilo, A., Lozano, L., Tauler, P., Nafría, M., Colom, M., & Martínez, S.
Affiliations
  • Research Group on Evidence, Lifestyles and Health, Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain
  • Research Institute of Health Sciences (ES)
  • Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (ES)
Corresponding author
Tauler, Pedro
Venue
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-04-21
Volume
13
Issue
5
Pages
1399
ISSN
2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3154927307
Cited by
23
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2021: 1
FWCI
1.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Docusalut (Conselleria de Salut i Consum del Govern de les Illes Balears) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Hispana (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Consorci Escola Balear de l‘Esport. Conselleria de Presidència. Govern de les Illes Balears (Ref 1292)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
Keywords
nutrition education, artistic gymnasts, youth athletes, energy intake, carbohydrate intake, nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, nutritional status, micronutrient status, female athletes, sports nutrition
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Blood Cell Count, Energy Intake, Diet, Drinking, Female, Food, Health Education, Health Plan Implementation, Humans, Iron, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Nutritional Status, Vitamins, Exercise, Fitness Centers

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