Nutrient Intakes and Anthropometric Measurements of Female Colege Athletes: A Comparison Between Noncompetitive and Competitive Seasons

Abstract

Numerous research studies have established that nutrition plays a significant role in successful athletic performance. The objective of this study was to compare the nutrient intakes and anthropometric measurements of 22 female athletes attending a medium-sized urban university between the noncompetitive and competitive seasons. Health and diet questionnaires and three-day food intake records were completed once during the noncompetitive season (June 1998) and again at the sixth week of the competitive season (September 1998). Height, weight, and skinfold measurements were also obtained. Mean body weight, body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat were significantly lower (p<0.0001) during the competitive season. The mean caloric intake of the subjects was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) in both the noncompetitive (79.5%) and competitive (77.4%) seasons. Although there was no significant difference in caloric intake between the two seasons, the dietary intakes of vitamin D, vitamin B-12, riboflavin, folate and pantothenic acid were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the competitive season. However, dietary intakes of calcium, magnesium, zinc and folate were below the RDA in both seasons. The food intake records suggest that these female athletes chose more nutrient-dense foods and snacks during the competitive than the noncompetitive season. These findings illustrate the importance of providing appropriate nutrition counseling to female college athletes during the noncompetitive season as well as the competitive season.