NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES AT QUEEN MARY S COLLEGE, CHENNAI

Original Research Article Allied science International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences ISSN 0975-6299 NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF ADOLESCENT FEMALE ATHLETES AT QUEEN MARY S COLLEGE, CHENNAI PUNITHA M. Sc., Lecturer, Saveetha College Of Nursing ABSTRACT Adequate nutrition is important for the proper growth and development of young people. It is even more essential to the competitive youth athlete, With the higher demands of strenuous training and competition, proper diet is crucial not only to insure optimal performance, but also to prevent developmental problems, which may have lifelong effects. Nutritional requirements of athlete s adolescent girl increase according to their various physical performance. The main aim of the study to assess the Nutritional profile of adolescent female athletes through nutritional anthropometric measurements such as body weight, height and body mass index, waist circumference and hip circumference measurements. The study was conducted among 50 adolescent female adolescent athletes (18-21 years old were selected. Results of the physical fitness tests revealed that 50 % had good flexibility, 56% had good coordination, 40% had excellent equilibrium and 38% had good score for speed test. Diets consisted of low energy, protein and low carbohydrate intake were adequate. KEY WORDS: Adolescent, Anthropometric Assessment, Nutritional Assessment. PUNITHA M. Sc., Lecturer, Saveetha College Of Nursing *Corresponding author B - 1210

INTRODUCTION Adolescence is defined as a transient stage between childhood and adulthood and a formative period during which many life patterns are learned and established. In the past involvement in sports primarily has been associated with males. Sports and physical activity can reduce the likelihood of developing a number of health related conditions. Exercise and sports can enhance the physical and mental health of adolescent females. 1 Adequate nutrition is important for the proper growth and development of young people. It is even more essential to the competitive youth athlete. With the higher demands of strenuous training and competition, proper diet is crucial not only to insure optimal performance, but also to prevent developmental problems, which may have lifelong effects. Young women athletes in particular have special needs and requirements in regard to nutrition, which must be carefully monitored. 2 Sports involvement does seem to be associated with higher nutrient intake for both males and females compared with non-sport involved peers. However sport involved female adolescents may benefit from interventions focused on how to healthfully increase nutrient intake particularly calcium and iron. 3 Adolescents involved in weight related and power team sports have better eating patterns and nutrient intakes than non- sports involved adolescents.obesity in adolescence seems to be on rise among 12-19 yrs old, the prevalence of overweight is to 21 percent. Thus over weight in adolescence has a wide range of adverse effect. Coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis occurred in obese adolescents. 4 New scientific knowledge and new community based intervention programmers are developed to improve adolescent health through physical activity and nutrition. Considering the importance of nutrition for women involved in sports thus study was undertaken education by assessing their nutritional status and physical fitness levels. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM A study to assess nutritional profile of adolescent female athletes at Queen Mary s college, Chennai. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study To assess the demographic variable among adolescent female athletes. To assess the nutritional status through anthropometric measurements among adolescent female athletes. To assess the nutrition intake of all subjects using 24 hours dietary recall method. To determine the factors influencing their nutritional status and fitness of the selected subjects. METHODOLOGY Research design: ex-post facto research design. Population: the female adolescent athletes age between 18-21 years old. Sample: adolescent female athletes age between 18-21 years old from department of physical education, queen mary s college.sample size: 50 adolescent s female athletes.sampling technique: purposive random sampling technique.duration of study: 90 days.necessary individuals consent and institutional approval were obtained for carrying out this study. Inclusion criteria 1. Adolescent female athletes between the age group of 18-21 years were selected. 2. Female athletes involved in endurance level activity were included. Exclusion criteria Female athletes involved in activities like weight lifting, wrestling and boxing were excluded. Research tools The various tools used for collecting the data were Demographic variable Structured interview questionnaire Anthropometric measurements Dietary recall schedule Physical performance test Tool I: Demographic variable such as age, educational qualification, socio-economic status and meal consumption pattern. Tool II: Anthropometric measurements.bmi assessment through height and weight.measurement of waist and hip ratio. Tool III: 24 hrs dietary recall through oral questionnaire methods. Tool IV: Physical fitness test,flexibility,coordination,equilibrium test,speed test (run 100 mts of time it),agility test.this study was approved on july 09.07.2010 by the Institutional Review Committee of Queen Mary s college Madras university for Ethical Issues. RESULTS Proper nutrition plays signifant role in adolescent development and health protection in adults as well. It is well known that adequate nutrition is helps to achieve high sports results the 34% of adolescent girls were 19 years.according to educational status of pattern of parents 34% of the father high school 42% of the mother had illiterate. According occupational status of parents 29(58%) had the fathers occupation of coolie. Monthly income of the parents 50% had below Rs.2000 50% had above Rs.2000.According to BMI 68% subjects were normal category,28% subjects were under weight, According the waist hip ratio 84% had low waist hip ratio, According to general examination 98% subjects suffer from amenorrhea and 68% from dysmenorrhea. According overtraining syndrome of adolescents 62% were had experiences pain in muscles and joints,56% were feeling of tired 18% had depression. According to nutrient intake of subjects, 46% were not taking food regularly due to their practices of training. B - 1211

Table 1 General examination of the subjects Yes No General examination Frequency Percent Frequency Percent Weight loss 17 34.0 33 66.0 Irregular periods 16 32.0 34 68.0 No periods 1 2.0 49 98.0 Muscle injuries 20 40.0 30 60.0 Chest pain 7 14.0 43 86.0 Using laxatives 5 10.0 45 90.0 Frequent urination 5 10.0 45 90.0 Vomiting 4 8.0 46 92.0 Diarrhea 2 4.0 48 96.0 Nausea 9 18.0 41 82.0 From Table-1 it was seen that 98% of the subjects suffer from amenorrhea and 68% from dysmenorrhea. Table 2 Nutrient intake of the subjects Nutrient RDA Mean Standard deviation T-value Total calories (Kcal) 1875 1495.09 244.207.731 Protein (g) 50 51.16 26.645.809 Fat (g) 20 50.41 15.775.561 Calcium (mg) 400 438.87 162.223.925 Table 2 clearly shows that the mean energy intake is lower than the recommended allowance. The results of the study are similar to that of hebbenlinck 2008 who studied the nutritional habits of Flemish adolescent athletes and found 22.5% of girls had daily breakfast and that total fat intake was above 30% of total energy intake.the study results are also parallel to those of Beals (2002) who found low energy and vegetable intake among adolescent athletes that place them at risk for nutritional deficiencies and compromised performance.recent studies suggest that increased energy expenditure with inadequate caloric intake may be cause of menstrual abnormalities and deleterious bone effects by suppressing the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis, which are components of the female athlete triad. Figure 1 shows the nutrient intake of the subjects. Figure 1 Nutrient intake of the subjects DISCUSSION The purpose of this study was to assess sports nutrition knowledge of adolescent athletes and to examine the effect of sports nutrition education over time on dietary intake. The researchers hypothesized that sports nutrition education would improve sports nutrition knowledge scores and improve dietary choices. Table 3 Overtraining syndrome of subjects Yes No Symptoms of overtraining syndrome Frequency Percent Frequency Percent Sudden drop in performance 14 28 36 72 Insomnia 7 14 43 86 Depression 9 18 41 82 Pain in muscles and Joint 9 18 19 38 Feeling tried and lack of energy 28 56 22 44 B - 1212

It was seen that 62% of subjects experienced pain in muscles and joints, due to over training syndrome while 56% were feeling tried and 18% experienced depression. Inadequate calorie intake may cause hypoglycemia which could also be attributed to the mood changes. This can also lead to decreased ability to concentrate.competitive sport and strenuous physical activity make demands on our body above the usual physiological range. Measurable muscle damage and accumulation of metabolic products cause pain and other effects than can be demonstrated. Table 4 Body Mass Index (BMI) of the selected subjects BMI Normal values Frequency Percent Underweight Less than 18.5 14 28.0 Normal weight 18.5-24.9 34 68.0 Over weight 25-29.9 2 4.0 Total 50 100.0 The BMI of the subjects is presented in table 4. It was seen that 68% of the subjects were in normal category, 28% of the subjects were underweight and 4 % of the subjects were found to be overweight Table 5 Waist-hip ratio of the selected subjects Waist/hip ratio Normal value Frequency Percent Low 0.8-Low risk 42 84.0 High 0.81-0.85 8 16.0 Total 0.85(or) above high risk 50 100.0 Table 5 depicts that 84% percent had low waist hip ratio and 16% had high waist hip ratio.if the waist hip ratio is high the subject is considered as obese and they are more prone to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Figure 2 Physical fitness test of the selected subjects CONCLUSION The results of the study suggest the importance of nutrition education to promote a balanced intake, provide all nutrients in optimal amounts, and maintain ideal performance and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimal nutrition. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Author express sincere thanks to all the experts for their valuable suggestions. 1. Dr.Mrs. Chandravenkatasubramanian.M.Sc; Ph.d, HOD, queen mary s college 2. Dr.P.Mangalagowri, M.Sc (N), Ph.d principal,saveetha College of nurisng,saveetha university thandalam. 3. Dr.Ragavan, Ph.d, director of research, Presidency College, Chennai. 4. Regiraymonsharmelee fernando M.Sc; M.Phil.Associate Professor.chennai 5. Dr.Ramasamy, M.D Professor Saveetha medical college and hospital, cheenai. 6. Mrs.Gayathri M.Sc; M.Phil. Assistant Professor Holy Cross Home Science College, Tuticorin. B - 1213

REFERENCES 1. Anderson M.Women in athletic training ealth anditness. University of London Press; 1992. p.34-36. 2. Antia FP, Abraham P. Clinical ietetics and Nutrition.4 th ed.oxford University Press; 1995.p.- 123-126. 3. Bambji MS Rao, N.P. Reddy,V. Text book of Human Nutrition. Oxford and IBH Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd;1998.p.-45-48 4. Begum MR. A Text Book of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics. 3 rd ed. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd; 2008. p.140-145. 5. Bucci LR. Nutritional Ergogenic Aids, Nutrition in Exercise and Sports. CRC Press;1989. : p.39-44. 6. Bucher C. Sports Nutrition for the Adolescent Athletes. 4 th edition. Ohio State University; 1993. p.220-228. 7. Cataldo Whitney. Nutrition and diet Therapy principles and practice. 4 th ed. Newyork:West Publishing;1995.p.230-238 8. Cohen A. Adolescent Nutrition and Sports. London Cassel education Ltd; 2006. p.36-40. 9. Corger L. Human Psychology and Facts Foresight Publications;1993. 10. Ensminger AH. Food and Nutrition encyclopedia 2 nd ed.. CRC Press;1995. 11. Gopalan C. Text Book of Human Nutrition, Oxford and IBH Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd; New Delhi.1998. :p.78-82. 12. Gupta S. Research Methodology and Statistical Techniques. Newdelhi: Deep and Deep Publication;1993. 13. Srilakshmi B. Dietetics. 6 th ed..newdelhi: New Age International Pvt Ltd; 2007. p.90-95. 14. Swaminathan M. Advanced Text Book of Food and Nutrition. Vol.1, Bangalore:1995.p: 338-360, 592-602. 15. Troiano RP. Overweight Prevalence and Trends for children and Adolescents.1995. B - 1214