Dietary Habits of Two Olympic Female Athletic Teams

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify four key strategies for promoting optimal performance in world class female athletes.Female athletes tend to restrict energy to lose or maintain wt. Low intake of total energy may influence micronutrient intake. Dietary composition, such as >60% kcal from carbohydrates (CHO) can negatively influence protein and fat, compromising training and performance outcomes. US Women's Soccer (S) and Field Hockey (FH) Teams (N=54), ranked 1st and 2nd in the world respectively, completed 3-day food records, attended 2 nutrition education sessions and a grocery shopping tour, and had individual nutrition consults during Jan. and April, ‘96. Mean energy intake was 2500 kcal/day based on self-reported food records. Mean hours of daily practice = 7. Supplements were used by 14% of FH players and 100% of S Players. Adequate fruit and vegetable intake, based on Food Guide Pyramid recommendations, was met by 16%. Misconceptions pertaining to CHO and protein were noted by 100% of athletes. Disordered eating was identified on both teams. Grocery shopping tours assisted in food selection and reinforced nutrient composition lessons. Follow-up phone conversations revealed a positive change in food selection patterns with regard to all food groups and fat. Nutrition education for Olympic athletes must be improved at the level of each National Governing Body within the US Olympic Committee. R.D.'s who maintain expertise in athletics are positioned to assume roles with teams who have not identified dietitians as an integral part of the training program.