Nutr Res Pract.  2021 Dec;15(6):732-746. 10.4162/nrp.2021.15.6.732.

Psychosocial factors and eating behaviors according to the stages of change in nutrition management among elementary and middle school athletes

• Kim JY
• Cho SS
• Kim KW

• KMID: 2522653
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2021.15.6.732

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study examined the differences in psychosocial factors and eating behaviors by the stages of change (SOC) in nutrition management among elementary and middle school athletes.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Subjects were young athletes recruited from the athletic clubs of 10 organizations. Subjects responded to a survey questionnaire, and data on 167 athletes were analyzed. Subjects were grouped into the pre-action or action stage in nutrition management. The χ² test, t-test, analysis of covariance, and correlation analysis were used in data analysis.
RESULTS
Athletes in the action stage (62.3%) compared to the pre-action stage, showed a higher self-efficacy (P < 0.01), and felt more confidence in performing specific eating behaviors (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Those in the action stage had more favorable beliefs regarding nutrition (P < 0.001) and agreed less strongly on the specific misconceptions/ disadvantages of nutrition (P < 0.01) than those in the pre-action stage. Eating behaviors (P < 0.001) and subscales of the eating behaviors (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) also differed significantly by the SOC group. Place of eating dinner (P < 0.05) and the person who prepares dinner (P < 0.05) showed significant differences by the SOC group. The relationship of self-efficacy, beliefs regarding nutrition, and eating behaviors to the SOC differed by sports type. Beliefs for football athletes, self-efficacy, and beliefs for baseball athletes were correlated significantly with the SOC, whereas all 3 variables were related to the SOC for handball and other athletes.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed differences in psychosocial factors and eating behaviors between the pre-action and action stages. Nutrition education should include strategies to help young athletes modify their beliefs, mainly misconceptions/disadvantages of nutrition, increase self-efficacy, and adopt specific and desirable eating behaviors. Nutrition education might employ different strategies considering the sports type that student-athletes participate.

Keyword

Athlete; stage of change; self-efficacy; beliefs; eating behavior

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