Changes in Young Swimmers’ Food Choices as a Result of Parental Participation in Sports Nutrition Workshops

Abstract

The effect of parental participation in sports nutrition workshops on young swimmers’ food choices was investigated. Parents of 9-15-year-old swimmers were recruited from swimming clubs that had requested sports nutrition workshops in Finland and assigned to intervention (IG) and control groups (CG). The research employed a pretest/workshop intervention/delayed post-test (1-month) design. The IG participated in a 4-hour workshop on the nutritional requirements of young athletes. In both groups, changes in the swimmers’ food choices were assessed via pre- and post-test questionnaire administered with parental help. Instruments included a FFQ and specific open ended questions designed to investigate food consumption patterns of young athletes. IG swimmers (n=36) reported changes in food choices before competition: they ate fewer foods high in fat (p<0.05) or salt (p<0.01), fewer fried foods and less meat and fish (p<0.05). CG swimmers (n=36) did not report changes in their pre-competition meal. No changes were reported in either group in food and fluid choices during or after competition or in the timing of intake before performance. In both groups, everyday food choices were nutritionally sound and showed no change.In summary, parental workshops on sports nutrition resulted in positive changes in young swimmers’ pre-competition food choices. It appears young swimmers are more willing to make changes in pre-competition than everyday food choices. Support was shown for involving parents in improving the young athletes’ diets.