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The Impact of a Nutritional Intervention Program on Eating Behaviors in Italian Athletes

Author

Listed:
  • Annalisa Terenzio

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy)

  • Alice Cassera

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy)

  • Adriano Gervasoni

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Alessandra Pozzi

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy)

  • Antonina Orlando

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milano, Italy)

  • Andrea Greco

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy)

  • Paola Palestini

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milano, Italy)

  • Emanuela Cazzaniga

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    Bicocca Center of Science and Technology for Food, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza, 2, 20126 Milano, Italy)

Abstract

A balanced diet is a fundamental component of athletes’ health, training, and performance. The majority of athletes choose adequate quantities of macronutrients but, at the same time, do not respect World Health Organization dietary guidelines, eating a lot of discretionary food and not drinking enough water. Athletes need more nutritional education to improve the quality of their food choice. By modifying their eating habits, they could also enhance their performance. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of nutritional intervention on eating habits in a group of Northern Italian athletes. A sample of 87 athletes (41 males and 46 females) aged 16.5 ± 2.9 was enrolled. We organized meetings and detected eating habits (before and after the meetings) using a food frequencies questionnaire. We found that nutritional intervention positively affected participants consumption of vegetables ( p < 0.05), nuts ( p < 0.001), legumes ( p < 0.001), and fish ( p < 0.05). Other aspects of the athletes’ eating habits were not significantly improved. Some gender differences were found; males increased their consumption of vegetables ( p < 0.05) and nuts ( p < 0.001), while females increased their intake of legumes ( p < 0.001). Our finding suggested that nutritional intervention could promote healthy eating habits among athletes. If sports nutrition experts, coaches, personal trainers, sports medicine experts, and athletes cooperated, they could guarantee athletes’ health status.

Suggested Citation

  • Annalisa Terenzio & Alice Cassera & Adriano Gervasoni & Alessandra Pozzi & Antonina Orlando & Andrea Greco & Paola Palestini & Emanuela Cazzaniga, 2021. "The Impact of a Nutritional Intervention Program on Eating Behaviors in Italian Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-8, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7313-:d:590616
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gabriele Mascherini & Cristian Petri & Elena Ermini & Vittorio Bini & Piergiuseppe Calà & Giorgio Galanti & Pietro Amedeo Modesti, 2019. "Overweight in Young Athletes: New Predictive Model of Overfat Condition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-10, December.
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