Affiliations: Laboratoire de Nutrition Clinique et Métabolique. Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie. Université Oran1 Ahmed Ben Bella, El M’Naouer 31 000 Oran, Algeria
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Prof. Malika Bouchenak, Laboratoire de Nutrition Clinique et Métabolique. Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie. Université Oran1 Ahmed Ben Bella, BP. 1524 El M’Naouer 31 000 Oran, Algeria, Tel.: +213 770 449 080; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Appropriate nutrition is important to maintain health, growth, and development of adolescent athlete performance. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the impact of nutritional intervention (NI) promoting Mediterranean diet (MD), on food consumption, and adherence to MD, in scholar adolescent athletes. METHODS:Eighty athletes (Females/Males, 39/41) aged 15±1 years participated to NI. MD Adherence was assessed, using Kidmed index, at baseline, and at 6 months. Food intake was evaluated by 24-hour recall at baseline, and at four NI times. RESULTS:At baseline, 61% of athletes had poor MD adherence, and after NI, this value decreased to 10%. At 6 months of NI, 73% of males vs 46% of females had good MD adherence (≥8). Energy intake represented 2369 Kcal/d, at baseline, and was less than recommended value. After NI, significant increase was observed in energy intake (p = 0.001). Mean fiber intake (19 and 21 g/d in females and males, respectively) was less than adequate intake (26/38 g/d), but increased after NI (p = 0.000). Enhancement was noted in total, and complex carbohydrates, and total proteins, and values were increased with time (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION:Nutritional intervention, based on Mediterranean diet, improves total energy, and macronutrients intake, and increases MD adherence scores in adolescents athletes.
