NUTRIENT AND FOOD INADEQUACIES AMONG ATHLETES: GENDER COMPARISONS

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the dietary intake between male and female athletes. The study included 80 high performance athletes, including 43 male and 37 female. The athletes dietary intake was evaluated by a 24-hour recall. Both groups showed a low caloric intake. Men were more inadequate in protein and saturated fat intake. Both groups showed a high inadequacy in vitamin A, E, D and calcium intake. Women had a higher inadequacy in vitamin B12, B3, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, and five times more probability of inadequate iron intake. Women had a more inadequate intake of fruit, meat. Athletes of both sexes present inadequacies on dietary intake, however, these were higher among women.