ISSN: 2155-9600
+32 25889658
H M W A B Wijerathne
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
Introduction & Objectives: This study evaluates the practices on sports nutrition, body composition and associated
factors among national level athletes in Sri Lanka.
Method: Cross sectional study was carried out among 178 national level athletes aged 18-35 years representing
karate, swimming, wrestling, volleyball, weight lifting (indoor) netball, rugby, track and field athletes (outdoor). Selfadministered
questionnaire obtained data on knowledge, attitude and practices on dietary pattern, hydration and
supplements. Body composition (body mass index-BMI and body fat percentage) was determined using stadiometer,
weighing scale and body impedance analyser.
Results: Practices were poor; consuming fast food (88.8%), missing meals (56.8%), improper meal timing (65.3%)
and inadequate hydration during practices (73.8%). Majority (53.4%) had recommended BMI, however only 15.3%
had recommended body fat. Majority (60.1%) had adequate overall knowledge on sports nutrition. Knowledge
within subcategories varied, where most were of satisfactory knowledge with regard to dietary intake (59.6%) and
supplements (55.6%), but not hydration (35.4%). Overall attitudes were positive (58.4%). Compared to outdoor
sports, indoor sports significantly associated with improper timing of meals (indoor 65.6%, outdoor 40.6%; p<0.01),
missing meals (indoor 64%, outdoor 40%; p<0.01), adequate hydration (indoor 66.3%, outdoor 84.3%; p<0.01) and
less supplement consumption (indoor 68.9%, outdoor 48%; p<0.01). Compared to females, males had improper
meal timing (males 62.7%, females 42.6%; p<0.05), adequate hydration (males 32.1%, females 16.1%; p<0.05) and
recommended body fat percentage (males 19.4%, females 7.8%; p<0.05). Less experienced athletes had adequate
BMI (less 63.6%, more 44.4%; p<0.05) but consumed more energy drinks (less 70.3%, more 38.8%; p<0.01). Athletes
with higher education level (47.3%) consumed supplements compared to lower educational level (32.3%; p<0.05).
Knowledge was not associated with any practices.
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