title: Evaluation of physical activity and dietary behaviors in young athletes: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the lifestyle based on the physical activity and eating habits of young athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to measure physical activity and eating habits in young people, 922 young athletes between the ages of 8 to 18 have been analyzed in this study. The participants were all patients come to our Department for sport eligibility evaluation; we have asked them to complete an accurate questionnaire in order to assess their personal physical activity levels and their regular eating habits. Parents were invited to sign a letter explaining the aims of the study and were asked for permission on behalf of their child to take part on the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The eating habits and the physical activity levels of the young athletes observed, resulted improper. We have noticed that the 13.7% of the participants were overweight and obese, despite their practiced sport activity. Physical activity, without sport activity, resulted inadequate in 38.6% of participants: they did not practice regular physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study clearly indicate that higher education is therefore necessary in order to promote a healthy lifestyle in terms of both eating habits and physical activity not only in young people, but also in parents and coaches of teams.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy - cristian.petri25@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Petri
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mascherini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Peurgia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bini
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Loira
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toncelli
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Armentano
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Piergiuseppe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calà
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galanti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires