The Comparative Study on Food Consumption Patterns, Dietary Behavior, and Nutrition Knowledge of Korean Professional Soccer Players and Non-athletic Males / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was performed to compare food consumption patterns, dietary behavior, and nutrition knowledge between Korean professional soccer players and the non-athletic males. Data were collected from 53 soccer players working for Korean professional soccer clubs and 44 non-athletic males, using self-administered questionnaires. There were significant differences in food consumption frequency between two groups. Meats and eggs, fishes and shellfishes, sea weeds were consumed more frequently by the soccer players. The frequency scores of foods rich in iron, calcium, and protein were also higher in the soccer players compared with the non-athletes. Meanwhile, the consumption of alcohol was more frequent in the non-athletes. As for the cooking method, the soccer players showed higher preference for steaming/parboiling and consumed raw vegetables and fruits more frequently than the non-athletic males (p < 0.05). The average scores of soccer players on nutrition knowledge for basic nutrition and athletic nutrition were lower than the respective values of the non-athletic males. However, the soccer players showed better eating behaviors and dietary habits compared with non-athletic males (p < 0.001). They had well-balanced, regular diet and good habits for chronic disease prevention. No significant relationship could be observed with respect to nutrition knowledge and nutritional behavior. Moreover, the experience of getting nutrition information did not affect either nutrition knowledge score or nutritional habits score, except that for habits of chronic disease prevention in non-athletes. Therefore, it is suggested that more effective and practical nutrition education program be needed for promoting healthy eating habits and improving nutritional status in young males.

The Comparative Study on the Supplement Use Habits of Korean Professional Soccer Players and Non-Athletic Males / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was performed to compare nutritional supplementation habits for Korean professional soccer players with those for the non-athletic male adults. Information about prevalence and kinds of supplements taken, information sources, nutrition knowledge were collected. Data were obtained from 53 football players working for Korean professional football clubs and 44 non-athletic males, who answered a list of questionnaires which had been prepared in advance. The prevalence of supplement use in the soccer player group (96%) was strikingly higher than in the nonathletic male group (34%). Vitamins were taken most frequently, followed by red ginseng, multivitamin, Chinese medicine and amino acids supplements in the soccer player group, with each player taking 2.96 kinds of supplements in average. Multivitamin was the most popular supplement in the non-athletic male group. The major reason for taking supplements was not to feel and recover from fatigue in both groups. It appeared that the non-athletic males started to use supplements mostly by recommendation of friends or colleagues. Meanwhile, soccer players took supplements on their needs, with half of them (50.1%) provided with nutrition information. The most important information source was coaches for soccer players group, and mass media for the non-athletic male group. The average scores of soccer players group on basic nutrition and athletic nutrition were lower than the respective values of the non-athletic males. Among the soccer players, 68% had taken more than 3 kinds of supplements during the last year; nonetheless, more than half could not perceive the effectiveness of the supplements. Our results show that supplementation practices were widespread in soccer players, and suggest that nutrition education for proper use of supplements and overall health care is needed for soccer players.