Association Between Eating Behaviors and Subjective Well-Being in Japanese Male Collegiate Handball Players

Background/Objectives: Optimal well-being is critical for athletic performance, yet nutritional intake among athletes is frequently inadequate. Although subjective tools such as the Hooper Index are widely used to monitor athlete condition, their relationship with routine eating behaviors remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional intake of Japanese male collegiate handball players and to identify eating behaviors associated with their subjective well-being, as measured by the Hooper Score. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 64 male collegiate handball players completed a 3-day dietary record and a web-based questionnaire assessing eating habits, training load, and the Hooper Index (sleep, muscle soreness, stress, fatigue). Associations between dietary factors and the Hooper Score were examined using partial correlation and multiple regression analyses, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Mean energy intake (30.1 ± 10.7 kcal/kg/day) and several micronutrient intakes were below recommended levels. Partial correlation analysis revealed that lower intakes of energy and multiple nutrients were significantly associated with poorer well-being (higher Hooper Scores) and more Subjective Health Complaints (SHC). Multiple regression analysis identified consistent dinner timing, greater protein intake (g/kg), more frequent consumption of nutrient-dense snacks, and less frequent consumption of unhealthy snacks as significant independent predictors of better Hooper Scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Suboptimal energy and nutrient intakes were common and associated with poorer subjective well-being. Specific eating behaviors, particularly meal regularity, snack quality, and adequate protein intake, emerged as independent predictors of the Hooper Score, offering practical indicators for nutritional assessment and athlete condition monitoring.