Nutritional Assessment and Counseling of Athletes

Abstract

Athletes’ nutritional needs are based on their age, gender, lifestyle, health status, level of physical activity, physical conditioning, and type of sport. An athlete’s diet will affect his/her health and physical performance now, and in the future. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, of the 10 leading causes of death, five of them—coronary heart disease and generalized atherosclerosis, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and diseases of the kidney—have been associated with dietary excesses or imbalances, and another—accidents—is often the result of excessive alcohol intake. Together, these six conditions account for as many as 68% of all United States deaths each year (www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm.). By following good nutritional practices, athletes not only have a better chance of maintaining health and improving their performance, but if they do become injured, an appropriate diet can assist with the process of returning them to the playing field as quickly as possible.

Athletes are prey to nutrition faddism and misinformation. The diets of many athletes are inadequate for a number of reasons: 1) poor information; 2) pressures of time, money, and access; and 3) overly restrictive eating habits and obsessions with body weight and food. Making sure that athletes get appropriate nutrition advice, and then learn to apply the information correctly, is a task that must be approached with care. As a health professional, you have an important role in helping athletes learn appropriate nutrition behaviors. Accomplishing this task requires an understanding of the physiologic, as well As psychosocial influences that affect athletes’ dietary practices. Practical skills in counseling and education are needed to motivate athletes to modify their food choices and eating habits. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the basic principles of nutrition assessment, evaluation, and counseling. Then, by giving you the tools to apply these principles and appropriately evaluate dietary information, you can positively influence the nutrition practices of athletes and other active individuals.