Dietary intake and nutrition knowledge of physically active adolescents : a project completed as partial fulfilment for the requirements of a Master of Science in Nutritional Science, Massey University

Additional nutrient demands are encountered during adolescence, the major period of growth during the human life cycle. In order that these demands are met and healthy eating habits established to lead into adulthood, it is vital to be able to accurately assess current dietary intake and nutrition knowledge levels of this population. There are very few studies that have assessed the dietary intake and level of nutrition knowledge of active adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the nutrition knowledge level, and dietary intake, of the subjects. A new nutrition knowledge questionnaire was developed and validated for this purpose. Dietary intake data was collected and compared to current dietary recommendations. This data was then used to investigate any link between nutrition knowledge level and dietary behaviour in the active adolescent subjects. One hundred and twenty-four adolescents of ages 14-18 years were recruited for the study from schools and competitive sporting teams in the Auckland region. Participants completed the nutrition knowledge questionnaire and were requested to complete a three-day food diary (two weekdays, one weekend day). Physical activity was recorded qualitatively by the subjects for the week in which dietary intake was measured. Body composition was assessed by calibrated digital scales and height measurement. The nutrition knowledge of the active adolescents of this study was found to be poor, with a mean score of 55% achieved by the group. The interest of these subjects in sport was illustrated with a slightly higher nutrition knowledge score on the sport nutrition section of the questionnaire than the general nutrition section, 57% v 54%, p<0.05. The nutrition knowledge level of females was found to be significantly higher than males, 58% v 53%, p