Cherian Keren Susan, Gavaravarapu Subbarao M, Sainoji Ashok, Yagnambhatt Venkata Ramana
Department of Work Physiology and Sports Nutrition, MYAS - NIN Department of Sports Science, ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India.
Media, Communication and Extension Group, ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, 500007, Telangana, India.
Heliyon. 2020 Feb 7;6(2):e03354. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03354. eCollection 2020 Feb.
Adolescence is a transitional phase of development with the risk of adopting unhealthy behaviours, which is carried on to adulthood. Adolescent athletes tend to resort to unhealthy eating habits resulting in eating disorders and other clinical outcomes. Hence, it forms a crucial age to understand modifiable food habits and provide appropriate counselling. In India, coaches closely monitor the adolescent athletes, even concerning their eating habits due to the lack of multi-disciplinary support staff. Thus, our study aimed to understand the perceptions of coaches towards food, appetite and nutrition of adolescent athletes using In-depth interviews (IDI). Of all 14 coaches at the state-sponsored residential sports centre, 10 consented. The IDI were conducted in a standardized manner and were recorded and transcribed. They were coded manually, using the open and axial coding in the grounded theory approach to determine themes. They considered nutrition as key to performance and consumption of higher animal protein as important. Majority of them considered sprouts, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables as healthy foods, though were unable to define the quantities nor nutrients therein. Coaches considered protein as "important", while fat as "unhealthy". They also observed that athletes were avoiding fruits and vegetables, while consuming more rice. Meal timing, fluid and supplement intake were considered essential for international performance, albeit unaware of the specific requirements. Hygiene practices and peer isolation were considered to affect food intake. This lacunae in the nutrition knowledge and the modifiable nutrition practices explored can be targeted by developing a nutrition education and assessment tool for coaches and junior athletes. Further, a long-term engagement of a nutritionist with every sports academy in India is recommended.
青春期是一个发展的过渡阶段，存在养成不健康行为的风险，这些行为会持续到成年期。青少年运动员往往会养成不健康的饮食习惯，导致饮食失调和其他临床后果。因此，这是一个了解可改变的饮食习惯并提供适当咨询的关键年龄。在印度，由于缺乏多学科支持人员，教练会密切关注青少年运动员，甚至包括他们的饮食习惯。因此，我们的研究旨在通过深入访谈（IDI）了解教练对青少年运动员的食物、食欲和营养的看法。在国家资助的寄宿制体育中心的14名教练中，有10名同意参与。深入访谈以标准化方式进行，并进行了录音和转录。使用扎根理论方法中的开放编码和轴心编码对访谈内容进行手动编码，以确定主题。他们认为营养是表现的关键，摄入较高的动物蛋白很重要。他们中的大多数人认为豆芽、干果、水果和蔬菜是健康食品，尽管无法确定其数量或其中的营养成分。教练们认为蛋白质“重要”，而脂肪“不健康”。他们还观察到运动员在避免食用水果和蔬菜，同时摄入更多的米饭。用餐时间、液体和补充剂的摄入被认为对国际比赛表现至关重要，但他们并不了解具体要求。卫生习惯和同伴隔离被认为会影响食物摄入。通过为教练和青少年运动员开发营养教育和评估工具，可以针对营养知识方面的这一空白以及所探讨的可改变的营养实践。此外，建议在印度的每个体育学院长期配备一名营养师。
