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Nutrition knowledge among adolescents who participate in sports: a cross-sectional study from Vancouver, Canada
Enhui Evelyn Zhang1, Alysha L Deslippe2, James McKendry1
1Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Background:
Adequate nutrition, defined as meeting energy and nutrient requirements to support sport-related needs, metabolic function, and growth, is critical for adolescent (14-18 years) athletic performance and health. Many adolescents do not meet current nutrition recommendations and report poor awareness of their nutrient needs (i.e., nutrition knowledge), though trends may differ between male and female adolescents. Most evidence is derived from the United States, with limited data from Canadian populations. The aim of this study was to assess sport nutrition knowledge among male and female adolescents participating in organized sport in the Greater Vancouver area (Canada).
Methods:
Adolescents participating in organized sport completed an online questionnaire that collected information on their sport participation, nutrition support and nutrition knowledge using the validated Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ; 35 items). Descriptive statistics were generated, and independent samples t-tests assessed sex differences. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare nutrition knowledge scores between sexes while adjusting for age and sports participation characteristics.
Results:
Fifty-one adolescents participated (n = 31 females). Few adolescents reported access to a team dietitian (6.1%) or structured nutrition education (26.5%). The mean total A-NSKQ score was 16.49 ± 4.38 (47.1% correct), indicating poor nutrition knowledge. Mean general and sport nutrition scores were 6.14 ± 1.92 (of 11) and 10.35 ± 3.08 (of 24), respectively. No significant sex differences were observed in total, general, or sport nutrition knowledge (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Adolescent athletes in this Greater Vancouver sample demonstrated poor nutrition knowledge, with no differences between sexes. Limited access to dietitians and structured education suggests a need for improved sport nutrition education to support health and athletic development.
