Significant differences in dietary intake of NCAA Division III soccer players compared to recommended levels

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated dietary intake patterns of NCAA Division III soccer players compared to recommended levels. Participants: NCAA Division III soccer players (n = 75). Methods: Actual dietary intake was determined by the analysis of a 3-day food record. Results: Results indicate that total energy, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber intake was significantly below the recommended levels. In addition, added sugar and total fat consumption were significantly above recommended levels. Potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D levels were consumed in levels significantly below the recommended levels. Sodium, iron, and vitamin C were consumed in significantly higher levels than the recommended target. Female athletes had significantly higher intakes of added sugar, saturated fat and vitamin C compared to male athletes. Female athletes had significantly lower intakes of calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium and vitamin D compared to male athletes. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, increased efforts should be put into development of nutrition education programs for NCAA Division III athletes.

Keywords:

• Collegiate athletes
• dietary deficiencies
• sports nutrition

Acknowledgment

We thank all of the NCAA Division III athletes that participated in this project.

Authors’ contributions

The study was designed by MLB; data were collected and analyzed by KGH, EB and MLB; data interpretation and manuscript preparation were undertaken by KGH, EB and MLB. All authors approved the final version of the paper.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. The study was approved by the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT IRB and categorized as exempt with a waiver of informed consent.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by internal sources at the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, within the Department of Nutrition and Public Health’s Athlete Nutrition Advising Program.