title: Dietary Intakes and Supplement Use in Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Canadian Athletes.
abstract: Young athletes experience numerous dietary challenges including growth, training/competition, unhealthy food environments, and travel. The objective was to determine nutrient intakes and supplement use in pre-adolescent and adolescent Canadian athletes. Athletes (n = 187) aged 11-18 years completed an on-line 24-h food recall and dietary supplement questionnaire. Median energy intake (interquartile range) varied from 2159 kcal/day (1717-2437) in 11-13 years old females to 2905 kcal/day (2291-3483) in 14-18 years old males. Carbohydrate and protein intakes were 8.1 (6.1-10.5); 2.4 (1.6-3.4) in males 11-13 years, 5.7 (4.5-7.9); 2.0 (1.4-2.6) in females 11-13 years, 5.3 (4.3-7.4); 2.0 (1.5-2.4) in males 14-18 y and 4.9 (4.4-6.2); 1.7 (1.3-2.0) in females 14-18 years g/kg of body weight respectively. Median vitamin D intakes were below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and potassium was below the adequate intake (AI) for all athlete groups. Females 14-18 years had intakes below the RDA for iron 91% (72-112), folate 89% (61-114) and calcium 84% (48-106). Multivitamin-multiminerals, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin-enriched water, protein powder, sport foods, fatty acids, probiotics, and plant extracts were popular supplements. Canadian pre-adolescent and adolescent athletes could improve their dietary intakes by focusing on food sources of calcium, vitamin D, potassium, iron, and folate. With the exceptions of vitamin D and carbohydrates during long exercise sessions, supplementation is generally unnecessary.
authors: Department of Health and Physical Education, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6, Canada. jparnell@mtroyal.ca.
authors: Jill A
authors: JA
authors: Parnell
authors: Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, University of Delaware, 026 North College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716, USA. kwiens@udel.edu.
authors: Kristin P
authors: KP
authors: Wiens
authors: Sport Medicine Centre, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. kerdman@csicalgary.ca.
authors: Kelly A
authors: KA
authors: Erdman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000367:Age Factors; D000416:Alberta; D056352:Athletes; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002657:Child Development; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances
keywords: diet analysis; dietary supplements; ergogenic aids; nutrient intakes; youth athletes