Sports Nutrition Knowledge, Diet Preference, and Eating Attitudes Among Physically Active College Students

Abstract

Explain one key finding from the current online survey of physically active college students. Interest in sports nutrition and plant-based foods has grown among young adults who are physically active. It is unclear if these trends have led to improvements in sports nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes, or vegetarian diet adherence. During Fall 2020, an online survey was completed by physically active college students in the U.S. A total of 425 initial responses were received. After exclusions for incomplete and/or ineligible responses, 224 were used for data analysis. Independent samples t-tests and Chi-square analyses were conducted to compare sports nutrition knowledge and eating attitudes (EAT-26) scores and prevalence of vegetarian diet. Respondents were primarily female (66%), White (63%), and not of Hispanic or Latino origin (71%). Over 1/3 of respondents (N = 77) reported following a vegetarian or vegan diet at some point, but only 12% (N = 27) indicated current adherence. 59% (N = 132) weight train as their primary sport. 67% (N = 151) have taken a college nutrition course. Vegetarian diet prevalence did not differ by weight training status. There was no difference in sports nutrition knowledge or EAT-26 scores between vegetarians and non-vegetarians, or weight trainers and other exercisers (p >0.05). Sports nutrition knowledge was significantly higher among respondents who took a college course (p = 0.02). Among physically active college students, only a minority currently follow a vegetarian diet. Diet preference and weight training status had no influence on sports nutrition knowledge or eating attitudes, but enrollment in a nutrition course did improve sports nutrition knowledge.