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Hindi Research Article
Prevalence of Low Energy Availability in Collegiate Female Runners and Implementation of Nutrition Education Intervention
Jennifer Day1, Heidi Wengreen2*, Edward Heath3 and Katie Brown4
1Dietetics and Food Science Department, Utah State University, 8700 Old Main Hill, Logan, USA
2Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Department, Utah State University, 8700 Old Main Hill, Logan, USA
3Physical Education and Recreation Department, Utah State University, 7000 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-7000, USA
4Family and Consumer Sciences Department, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter, Moscow, Russia
- *Corresponding Author:
- Heidi Wengreen
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science Department
Utah State University
8700 Old Main Hill, Logan, USA
Tel: +435-797-1806
E-mail: heidi.wengreen@usu.edu
Received: October 01, 2015; Accepted: November 02, 2015; Published: November 05, 2015
Citation: Day J, Wengreen H, Heath E, Brown K (2015) Prevalence of Low Energy Availability in Collegiate Female Runners and Implementation of Nutrition Education Intervention. Sports Nutr Ther 1: 101. doi: 10.4172/2473-6449.1000101
Copyright: © 2015 Wengreen H, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Objective: This study examined the prevalence of low energy availability in a sample of female collegiate athletes (N=25) then delivered nutrition education related to the female athlete triad and assessed change in knowledge and dietary behaviors. Methods: Average energy intake was assessed pre- and post-education using Automated Self-Administered 24- Hour Dietary Recalls. We assessed body composition with multiple-site skinfold measures. Energy expenditure was assessed with accelerometers and a physical activity diary over a 3-day period. A 73-item questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and behavior changes. Results: At baseline, 92% had an index of energy availability <45 kcal/kg of fat free mass/day. 40% of participants were amenorrheic, and 32% had a history of stress fractures. There was an increase in summed nutrition knowledge, post-nutrition education (p=0.001), but no increase in caloric intake (p=0.979). Conclusion: Low energy availability was common in this sample of female collegiate track athletes, but did not improve with a targeted intervention.
