NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE, EATING PRACTICES, AND HEALTH OF ADOLESCENT FEMALE RUNNERS - A 3-YEAR LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in nutrition knowledg e, intakes, attitudes, and behaviors as well as health status of 22 fe male adolescent runners. Subjects completed questionnaires, interviews , and dietary analyses twice over a 3-year period. Over this time they experienced physical growth and improved athletic performance. Althou gh their mean score on a test of basic and sports nutrition knowledge remained stable at 67%, after 3 years more runners correctly responded to statements about carbohydrate and fat. However, fewer responded co rrectly to statements regarding fluid intake and skipping meals. Altho ugh runners increased the percentage of calories consumed as carbohydr ates, they significantly decreased their mean energy intake, thus lowe ring carbohydrate intake. They significantly lowered protein, calcium, potassium, and sodium intakes. The incidence of possible eating disor ders increased, as did stress fractures. Over 3 years, nutrition knowl edge did not improve, the quality of dietary intakes decreased, incide nce of eating disorders and stress fractures increased, and menstrual irregularities remained high.