NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF NATIONALLY RANKED ELITE BODYBUILDERS

The nutritional status of 11 female and 13 male elite bodybuilders at the first drug-tested USA Championship was examined through food recor ds kept by subjects. Diets were repetitive and monotonous, and average daily energy and protein contents were relatively similar for men and women. Percent calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrate were 39%, 12%, and 48% for females, and 40%, 11%, and 49% for males, respective ly. Females consumed 0% vitamin D, 52% calcium, 76% zinc (as percents of RDA) and below the Estimated Safe and Adequate Dietary Allowance am ounts for copper and chromium. Males consumed 46% of vitamin D RDA. Al though dietary magnesium intakes were above the RDA, serum magnesium l evels in females were below reference values, which should be investig ated. Serum zinc levels were high in men and women. Eighty-one percent of females reported recurrent contest-related amenorrhea for 2 +/- 1 months precontest. Dietary intakes of men were adequate but the restri ctive intakes of women may place them at risk for calcium, copper, and chromium deficiencies.