title: Organic food consumption by athletes in Lithuania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With environmental pollution increasing, interest in organic farming and organic foodstuffs has been growing all over the world. Data on organic food consumption by Lithuanian athletes is not yet available. This lack of data determined the aim of this study: to identify the particulars of organic foodstuff consumption among athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September-November 2012, we polled 158 of the best-performing athletes of the Olympic sports team through direct interviews. An approved questionnaire was used to identify the specifics of organic foodstuff consumption among athletes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey results showed that 97% of athletes consume organic foodstuffs, and 80% of athletes highlighted the positive impact of organic food on health. Nevertheless, a slim majority of athletes (51.7%) consume organic foodstuffs seldomly, 2-3 times per week. The range of organic foodstuffs consumed depends on the gender of athletes, and the consumption of some products depends on monthly incomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survey results confirm the need for the production and expansion of the variety of organic foodstuffs. In the course of the development of the organic food market, it should be beneficial for manufacturers to target high-performance athletes and physically active people.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 21 M. K. Čiurlionio Street, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania; Lithuanian Olympic Sports Center, 39 Ozo Street, Vilnius, 07171, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baranauskas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Rimantas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stukas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science, Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Vilnius, 08106, Lithuania, Lithuanian Olympic Sports Center, Vilnius, 07171, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Linas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tubelis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Kęstutis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Žagminas
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Genė
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Šurkienė
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Valerij
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dobrovolskij
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, 03101, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakubauskienė
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, 9 Saulėtekio Street, Vilnius, 10222, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Vincentas Rolandas
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Giedraitis
keywords: Organic food; athletes; nutrition; organic farming