Lifestyle Measurement of Junior Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study of Food, Cigarette, and Alcohol Consumption in Sumedang, West Java

Abstract

Sedentary lifestyles, such as consuming foods high in energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fat, sleeping less than 8 hours, smoking and drink an alcohol can approximately double the risk of obesity and hypertension. These factors can affect nutritional status and impact physical fitness and achievement in junior athletes. This study aims to identify the lifestyle and nutritional status of junior athletes aged 11-24 years during the match preparation period. The sample consisted of 110 junior athletes in Sumedang, West Java. This research using a cross-sectional approach. Results showed that the average athlete in Sumedang Regency consumed 2,035 Kcal daily, with male athletes consuming 2,218.8 Kcal and female athletes consuming 1,797.7 Kcal. More than half of the male athletes (64.5%) are smoked but did not consume an alcohol (95.2%). On other hand, most of female athletes neither smoke (85.4%) nor consume an alcohol. The data also shows there is a significant (p-value < 0.05) consumption among male and female athletes on cigarette consumption. Findings indicate that athletes did not meet the nutritional intake adequate even for normal individuals, while athletes require a higher nutritional adequacy due to their intensive training regimens. Athletes in Sumedang Regency are not meeting their nutritional needs and engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and alcohol consumption, which may affect their physical fitness and performance. These lifestyle factors need to be addressed to improve their nutritional status and overall athletic performance.