DIETARY INTAKE OF COLLEGE ATHLETES DURING TRAINING IN TERTIARY INSTITUTES IN THE NORTH RIFT REGION OF KENYA

Abstract

Athletics is increasingly becoming a major pillar of sustainable national development in Kenya. It is therefore important for athletes to consider various aspects of good performance. The concept that athletic performance is enhanced by optimal nutrition is a widely accepted one. The aim of this study was to determine the dietary intake of college athletes in tertiary institutes in the North Rift region of Kenya and compare this with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). A cross-sectional survey in the quantitative and qualitative paradigms was carried out in two technical institutes. A sample of 44 male and 27 female athletes, 18-26 years old was selected. Anthropometric measurements were taken to determine Body Mass Index (BMI) and percentage body fat. Macronutrient and micronutrient intakes were determined using the 7-day estimated food record. Food intake data was analyzed using Nutri-Survey (2007) software. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation and percentages were used to describe the variables. Macronutrients intake was compared to the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze differences by gender of each nutrient while the paired samples t-test was used to analyze difference between nutrient intake and RDA. Based on BMI, all the athletes were classified as normal. Percentage body fat was 6% for male athletes and 11.7% for female athletes which was lower than the standard body fat for athletes of 6%-13% and 14%-20% for male and female respectively. Diets of both male and female athletes consisted significantly lower than recommended daily intakes of energy, fat and water and the athletes were in negative energy balance. The AMDR for male athletes was 74.1% and 13.1% for carbohydrates and proteins respectively and for female athletes 66.4% and 11.7% for carbohydrates and proteins respectively. This met the requirements of 45%-65%, 10%-35% for carbohydrates and proteins respectively. The AMDR for fat was lower than the recommended 20%-30% for both male and female athletes. Folic acid, potassium and calcium intake were significantly lower than RDA for both male and female athletes (significant at P<0.05). Females exhibited inadequate iron intakes at 70.6% of the RDA. Except for water, energy and vitamin C, the study found no significant difference in the intake of various nutrients by male and female athletes. The inadequate energy and micronutrient intake in the college athletes could put the athletes at risk of nutritional deficiencies and compromise their athletic performance and thus national development and fame. It is necessary for institutes running athletic programs to consider having qualified sports nutritionists to guide athletes in their choice of diet hence improve athletic performance. This will lead to optimum performance in athletics and therefore individual and national development of the athlete and country respectively.