Nutr Res Pract.  2020 Feb;14(1):45-54. 10.4162/nrp.2020.14.1.45.

Weight control practices, beliefs, self-efficacy, and eating behaviors in college weight class athletes

• Lee JS
• Cho SS
• Kim KW

• KMID: 2468512
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2020.14.1.45

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine differences in weight control practices, beliefs, self-efficacy, and eating behaviors of weight class athletes according to weight control level.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Subjects were weight class athletes from colleges in Gyeong-gi Province. Subjects (n = 182) responded to a questionnaire assessing study variables by self-report, and data on 151 athletes were used for statistical analysis. Subjects were categorized into High vs. Normal Weight Loss (HWL, NWL) groups depending on weight control level. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANCOVA, χ²-test, and multiple logistic regressions.
RESULTS
Seventy-three percent of subjects were in the HWL group. The two groups showed significant differences in weight control practices such as frequency (P < 0.01), duration and magnitude of weight loss, methods, and satisfaction with weight control (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that self-efficacy (OR: 0.846, 95% CI: 0.730, 0.980), eating behaviors during training period (OR: 1.285, 95% CI: 1.112, 1.485), and eating behaviors during the weight control period (OR: 0.731, 95% CI: 0.620, 0.863) were associated with weight control level. Compared to NWL athletes, HWL athletes agreed more strongly on the disadvantages of rapid weight loss (P < 0.05 - P < 0.01), perceived less confidence in controlling overeating after matches (P < 0.001), and making weight within their weight class (P < 0.05). HWL athletes showed more inappropriate eating behaviors than NWL athletes, especially during the weight control period (P < 0.05 - P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Self-efficacy was lower and eating behaviors during pre-competition period were more inadequate in HWL athletes. Education programs should include strategies to help athletes apply appropriate methods for weight control, increase self-efficacy, and adopt desirable eating behaviors.

Keyword

Weight class athlete; weight control; belief; self-efficacy; eating behavior

MeSH Terms

Athletes*
Eating*
Education
Feeding Behavior*
Humans
Hyperphagia
Logistic Models
Weight Loss

Reference

1. Thomas DT, Erdman KA, Burke LM. Position of the academy of nutrition and dietetics, dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: nutrition and athletic performance. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2016; 116:501–528.

2. Kim MI. The review on nutritional management for competitive weight control athletes. J Coach Dev. 2005; 7:3–12.

3. Langan-Evans C, Close GL, Morton JP. Making weight in combat sports. Strength Condit J. 2011; 33:25–39.

4. Franchini E, Brito CJ, Artioli GG. Weight loss in combat sports: physiological, psychological and performance effects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012; 9:52–57.

5. Steen SN, Brownell KD. Patterns of weight loss and regain in wrestlers: has the tradition changed. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990; 22:762–768.

6. Artioli GG, Gualano B, Franchini E, Scagliusi FB, Takesian M, Fuchs M, Lancha AH Jr. Prevalence, magnitude, and methods of rapid weight loss among judo competitors. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010; 42:436–442.

7. Son HS, Lee SJ. A study on the nutrient intakes of the taekwondo players before and after the games. J Taekwondo Sci. 2009; 2:43–49.

8. Kim JH, Choue RW. The study of nutrients intake, nutrition knowledge and weight loss patterns for 12 weeks pre-competition in college taekwondo players. Korean J Phys Educ. 2004; 43:473–484.

9. Shin MG, Kim HY, Park S, Park H. Analysis of nutrient intake and beverage intake status of male taekwondo players. Korean J Sport Sci. 2010; 21:919–928.

10. Fleming S, Costarelli V. Nutrient intake and body composition in relation to making weight in young male taekwondo players. Nutr Food Sci. 2007; 37:358–366.

11. Brito CJ, Roas A FC, Brito I SS, Marins J CB, Córdova C, Franchini E. Methods of body mass reduction by combat sport athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2012; 22:89–97.

12. Coufalová K, Prokešová E, Malý T, Heller J. Body weight reduction in combat sports. Arch Budo. 2013; 9:267–272.

13. Oppliger RA, Case HS, Horswill CA, Landry GL, Shelter AC. American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Weight loss in wrestlers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996; 28:ix–xii.

14. Fogelholm M. Effects of bodyweight reduction on sports performance. Sports Med. 1994; 18:249–267.

15. Khodaee M, Olewinski L, Shadgan B, Kiningham RR. Rapid weight loss in sports with weight classes. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2015; 14:435–441.

16. Montano DE, Kasprzyk D. Theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior, and the integrated behavioral model. In : Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K, editors. Health behavior: theory, research, and practice. 5th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass;2015. p. 95–124.

17. Kelder SH, Hoelscher D, Perry CL. How individuals, environments, and health behaviors interact. In : Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K, editors. Health behavior: theory, research, and practice. 5th ed. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass;2015. p. 159–182.

18. Contento IR. Nutrition education: linking research, theory, and practice. 3rd ed. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning;2015. p. 108–124. p. 135–148.

19. Kim YS, Kim YI. The structural relationship among achievement goal orientation, intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy and exercise adherence in university taekwondo players. J Sport Leis Stud. 2011; 46:593–606.

20. Lee GO. Self-regulation, self-efficacy, and exercise adherence of physical education middle and high school students. J Korean Soc Study Phys Educ. 2012; 17:105–116.

21. Kim CH, Kim C, Ji JW, Pho JH, Oh HS, Choi YE. Weight loss patterns of weight-classed athletes in Korea: a descriptive study. Korean J Sports Med. 2001; 19:49–61.

22. Kim YS, Kim GJ, Shin JT, Kim HY, Lim GW. Application and development of nutritional guidelines for physical conditions to pass weight in judo players. Seoul: Korea Institute of Sport Science;2009.

23. Seo GR, Kwon SY. Exploration of male weight class athletes' experiences of eating disorder. Korean J Phys Educ. 2013; 52:83–94.

24. Kim MJ, Kim KW. Nutrition knowledge, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and eating behaviors by calcium intake level in Korean female college students. Nutr Res Pract. 2015; 9:530–538.

25. Kim JY, Lee JS, Cho SS, Park H, Kim KW. Nutrient intakes of male college combat sport athletes by weight control status. Korean J Community Nutr. 2017; 22:495–506.

26. Fleming S, Costarelli V. Eating behaviours and general practices used by taekwondo players in order to make weight before competition. Nutr Food Sci. 2009; 39:16–23.

27. Chun KY, Oh IS. The effect of different weight reduction period on cell blood count and anaerobic capacity in boxing athletics. Korean J Sports Sci. 2003; 12:589–597.

28. Chun YS, Lee KE, Back NS, Kim MS, Lee KW, Kim SY. The nutrition indigestion of the high school judo players in accordance to their weight, before and after the competition. J Korean Alliance Martial Arts. 2010; 12:299–310.

29. Lindeman AK. Self-esteem: its application to eating disorders and athletes. Int J Sport Nutr. 1994; 4:237–252.

30. Seok HK, Her ES. The weight control-related attitudes, dietary self-efficacy and eating behaviors according to the perception of eating disorder and obesity index in dancing major high school girls. Korean J Community Nutr. 2009; 14:383–391.

31. Lee KY, Lee MC. The diet programs for elite athletes. J Coaching Dev. 2003; 5:89–101.

32. Sung H, Chang KJ. A survey on self-reported health and eating habit of elite female adolescent athletes in Incheon by sport type. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 2005; 34:366–373.

33. Rhyu HS. Effects of short term weight loss on physiological variables in weight category sports. Korean J Sport Sci. 2016; 27:209–219.

34. Park MK, Sung JM, Kang HS. Research about establishment of the most suitable weight reduction level. Exerc Sci. 2009; 18:143–150.

35. Lee JK, Kim C, Kim CH, Kwon YW, Kim JH. Weight loss patterns of the young taekwondo athletes in Korea: a descriptive study. Korean J Sport Sci. 2002; 13:81–90.

36. Cho YK. A study on weight control players' eating behavior. Korea Sports Res. 2003; 14:395–406.

37. Kazemi M, Rahman A, De Ciantis M. Weight cycling in adolescent taekwondo athletes. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2011; 55:318–324.

38. Kang SJ, Kim YH. The effect of individual, social, and physical environment variables on older adults' physical activity. Korean J Sport Psyc. 2011; 22:113–124.

39. Abood DA, Black DR, Birnbaum RD. Nutrition education intervention for college female athletes. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2004; 36:135–139.

40. Jung KA, Hwang SH, Kim C, Lee JK, Chang YK. An evaluation of the nutritional status and the desirable time and period for dietary record in male high school taekwondo athletes. Korean J Nutr. 2002; 35:237–249.