| The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if female adolescent synchronized swimmers from a team in western New York were meeting their recommended requirements for total calories, carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium, and iron. A purposive convenience sample of 5 females between the ages of 13-18 years was chosen for this study. The participants completed a three-day food record, including supplements, and a height/weight questionnaire. The food records were entered into the Food Processor 10.8.0 computer software for each participant and analyzed to determine whether the female athletes met their estimated energy requirements and the DRIs for carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium, and iron. Of the athletes that participated, 40% met at least 75% of their estimated energy requirements, however, none of the athletes met 100% of their estimated energy needs. Only 40% fell within their recommended range for carbohydrates, 60% fell within their recommended range for protein, and none of the athletes fell within their recommended range for fat. The percentage of athletes that met at least 75% of the recommended DRI for calcium was 40% and the percentage that met at least 75% of the recommended DRI for iron was 60%. Based on the results of this study, the majority of the athletes were consuming inadequate calories, carbohydrates, fat, and calcium. The majority of the females consumed adequate protein and at least 75% of the recommended DRI for iron. Female adolescent synchronized swimmers may benefit from nutrition education and how to properly fuel the body for training. |
