Application of the theory of anticipatory guidance to identify nutrition education needs, eating disorder risk and nutrition knowledge of freshmen and sophomore collegiate athletes

摘要

A variety of health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatricsand the American Dental Association, have employed the concept of anticipatoryguidance to avert potential health risks among their patients. The application ofanticipatory guidance with underclass collegiate athletes, however, has not beenidentified in the literature. The purpose of this mixed-methods, quasi-experimental studywas to assess the eating disorder risk and nutrition knowledge of underclass Division Icollegiate athletes at a Midwestern university and to determine the viability of using thetheory of anticipatory guidance to identify the athletes' nutrition education needs relatedto six nutrition related key topics. Of the forty athletes who completed three assessments,results indicated a desire and a need for more nutrition information. The Sports Nutritionpresentation significantly increased the sport nutrition knowledge among the collegiateathletes compared to the control group. Analysis of the EAT-26 survey indicated sevenof the 40 athletes were at risk for an eating disorder; of these, almost half (43%) werefemale gymnasts. Applying anticipatory guidance early in an athlete’s career maypotentially prevent future health problems and enhance performance.