LE3 .A278 2020

2020

Kaviani, Mojtaba

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Nutrition

Nutrition & Dietetics

Introduction: Despite numerous health benefits seen through female participation in sports, there has been an increase in sports related health consequences including the female athlete triad (low energy availability, low bone mineral density, and menstrual dysfunction). Little is known about prevalence of the triad or effective methods to reduce athletes’ risk. Objectives: The objectives for this research were: 1) to investigate the prevalence of the female athlete triad among varsity and club female (as identified at birth) athletes at Acadia University (AU), 2) to examine factors which increase athletes’ risk, and 3) to explore the effects of nutrition education on triad risk and dietary intake. Methods: Varsity and club female athletes were recruited (n=17). Participants were randomized to an experimental group to attend eight nutrition education sessions, or a control group. All participants completed a survey assessing triad risk and nutrition knowledge prior to and following intervention. Results: Triad prevalence at AU was high with 29.4% of athletes at risk of the triad prior to intervention and 47.1% at risk following intervention due to injuries. Negative beliefs surrounding food were common with 94.1% of participants reported feeling guilty when choosing unhealthy foods. Intervention demonstrated no significant effect on athlete’s triad risk as well as intakes of energy, fat, carbohydrate, protein, or calcium and vitamin D. Conclusions: Almost half of the participants were at risk of the female athlete triad and nutrition education did not significantly affect triad risk. Many factors including negative beliefs surrounding food affected athletes’ triad risk. These finding raise questions about the effectiveness of nutrition education intervention, the impact of injuries in assessing triad risk, and effective methods of reducing risk of the female athlete triad.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3419