title: Perceptions of body weight and nutritional practices among male and female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated body weight and nutritional behavior perceptions among Division II collegiate athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was composed of 155 collegiate athletes who responded to a survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were self-reported by athletes via questionnaire. Independent-sample t tests were used to identify significant gender differences related to body weight perceptions, nutritional practices, and ideal weight difference (IWD). An alpha level of .05 was used to determine statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± SD female and male IWD was -6.8 ± 8.8 and 1.3 ± 12.3 lbs, respectively (p < .001). Significant differences in level of agreement regarding perceived body weight effects on performance and dietary practices existed between genders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant gender differences may exist regarding body weight perceptions and nutritional practices among collegiate athletes. Deliverance of gender-specific educational information about proper nutritional practices is warranted. To properly tailor interventions to specific sports, research with larger sample sizes is needed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , Saginaw Valley State University, University Center , Michigan , USA.
authors.forename: Valerie J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , Saginaw Valley State University, University Center , Michigan , USA.
authors.forename: Tatum M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Goldufsky
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , Saginaw Valley State University, University Center , Michigan , USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schlaff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Athletes; body weight; nutritional practices; supplementation