Date of Award
1-1-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Food and Nutrition Services
First Advisor
Melinda Valliant
Second Advisor
Anne Bomba
Third Advisor
Hyunwoo Joung
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Vitamins and minerals play an important role in many functions within the body and contribute to maintenance of health and well-being of all individuals, including athletes. An athlete’s performance could be negatively impacted if micronutrient recommendations are not met consistently. The purpose of this study was to analyze the dietary micronutrient consumption of NCAA Division I Collegiate Track and Field athletes. Thirty-seven track and field athletes, 15 females and 22 males, participated in the study. Multiple 24-hr recalls were collected, including weekdays and weekends, and analyzed using NSDR to obtain average dietary micronutrient intakes, which could then be compared to the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for each micronutrient. Pearson Chi Squared tests were used to assess correlations amongst the various participant characteristics, such as gender, age, race, track event group, and place of residence. Results indicated a significant relationship between gender and dietary iron intake (p < 0.001), place of residence and calcium consumption (p < .05), and the participants’ race and magnesium intake (p < .05). A cause for the high prevalence of inadequate dietary micronutrient consumption could be related to the commonness of energy deficits found in student-athletes. The prevalence of under-consuming micronutrients indicates a need for sports dietitians to focus on the assessment of vitamin and mineral dietary intakes and provide education surrounding the importance of adequate micronutrient intake to prevent negative health and performance implications associated with inadequate levels.
Recommended Citation
Melton, Haley Noelle, "Analysis of Dietary Micronutrient Intake of NCAA Track and Field Athletes" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2549.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2549