ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the eating behaviors, the self-perception of body images, the hematological indices and the nutrient intake of adolescent female athletes in Incheon. The subjects were 112 female athletes (track and field: n = 32, target shooting: n = 27, fencing: n = 29, swimming: n = 14, badminton: n = 10) from middle and high schools in Incheon. This cross-sectional study was conducted by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), ferritin, serum iron, mean cor-puscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS). Nutrient intakes obtained by means of the 3 day-recall method were analyzed using the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SPSS 10.0 program. Most of the female athletes had dietary problems such as eating unbalanced meals, skipping meals, and preferences for processed foods. More than 60% of the female athletes skipped breakfast. As for perception of their body images, track and field athletes in particular, controlled their weights significantly better than the other athletes (p < 0.05). With regard to their physical exertion during exercise, 56.3% of the swimmers and 31.3% of the track and field athletes answered "very hard", which was a significant difference (p < 0.001). More than 80% of the female athletes experienced vertigo during exercise (p < 0.01). Also more than 50% of the female athletes, with the exception of the badminton players, had experienced irregular menstruation (p < 0.05). The average serum iron levels (p < 0.05), the serum ferritin levels (p < 0.05) and TS (p < 0.05) of the track and field athletes was significantly lower as compared to that of the other athletes. The nutrient intakes of the female athletes, with the exception of Vitamin B6, niacin and phosphorus were lower than the Korean Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). In particular, the calcium and iron intakes of the female athletes were under 50% of the Korean RDA. Therefore, proper nutritional education and supplementation are required for female athletes to encourage desirable eating habits, as well as to improve their nutritional status and exercise performances.