Dietary Behaviors, Self Perception of Body Image, Hematological Index and Nutrient Intake of Female Athletes in Incheon

The purpose of this study was to investigate dietary behaviors, body image, hematological index and nutrient intake of female athletes in Incheon. The subjects were 112 female athletes (field and track: n=32, firing: 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 a self-administered questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit(Hct), ferritin, serum iron, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation (TS). Nutrient intakes collected from 3 day-recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 10.0 program. The results are summarized as follows: Average age of field and track athletes, firing, fencer and swimmer was 14 years and that of badmintoner was 17 years. Most of female athletes had dietary problems such as unbalanced meals, skipping meals, and preference of processed foods. More than 60% of female athletes skipped breakfast. As for perception of body image, most of female athletes perceived themselves fatter compared to normal body image. Especially, field and track athletes were more significantly experienced weight control compared to the other athletes (p<0.05). As for physical burden during exercise, 56.3% of swimmer and 31.3% of field and track athletes answered “very hard”, which showed a significant difference (p<0.001) More than 80% of female athletes had experienced a vertigo during exercise (p<0.01). Also, more than 50% of female athletes except badmintoner had experienced an irregular menstruation (p<0.05). Average serum iron level (p<0.05) and TS (p<0.05) of field and track athletes were significantly lower compared to the other athletes. Serum ferritin of badmintoner, field and track athletes and fencer was significantly lower compared to firing and swimmer (p<0.05). Nutrient intakes of female athletes except vitamin B6, niacin and phosphorus were lower than the Korean RDA. Especially, calcium and iron intakes of female athletes were under the 50% of the Korean RDA. Therefore, proper nutrition education and supplementation are required for female athletes to encourage desirable food habits as well as to improve their nutritional status and exercise performance.