(P16-013-25) Assessing Nutritional Knowledge Deficiencies in High School Athletes in the Metro Detroit Area

Objectives: Nutrition education is key in supporting athletic performance, particularly during adolescence and early career. However, athletes often consume a diet that is inadequate to support their energy needs. Nutrition education customized to athlete's training demands and performance goals is an efficient way to improve their dietary intake. The aims of this observational study focused on high school athletes in regards to their baseline nutritional knowledge, sources of dietary information, and their twenty four hour intake diary.

Methods: A 35-question survey was sent electronically via SurveyMonkey to student-athletes who attended seven different high schools in the Metro Detroit Area. It included questions related to nutrition knowledge, reliability of dietary resources, and a 24-hour diet recall.

Results: Results showed the majority of high school athletes demonstrated a relatively poor understanding of nutritional knowledge, with a total of 144 students completing the nutritional knowledge quiz (43.6% response rate), with an average score of 53% correct. Athletes indicated that the resources used most frequently for information came from the internet/social media, family and then their coach. Based on the 24-h diet recall, athletes are eating heavily processed and refined meals with lower nutritional value; however, they are cognizant of the potential role nutrition has on their athletic performance.

Conclusions: In conclusion, our study demonstrates that athletes require more education to improve their dietary knowledge and ultimately their athletic performance.

Funding Sources: None