Exploring Attitudes Towards Healthy Nutrition Among Athletes In Diverse Disciplines

Abstract

Nutritional awareness and healthy eating are vital aspects for the well-being of society, quality of life, and disease prevention. This study assessed the attitudes of athletes towards healthy nutrition and explored the impact of various factors, such as age, gender, and sports discipline, on such attitudes. A quantitative research approach and descriptive survey method were used. A total of 492 athletes participated in the study, including 287 males and 203 females. The athletes were licensed to participate in different sports disciplines in the Adıyaman province during the 2022-2023 season. The Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN) was used to collect data. The scale's validity and reliability were established by Tekkurşun-Demir et al. (2019). It was complemented by a personal information questionnaire detailing the athletes' sociodemographic characteristics. The results showed that the athletes had a moderate level of attitude towards healthy nutrition, with an average score of 62.95. A positive correlation was detected between the athletes' age and their healthy nutrition attitude scores, with a moderate correlation coefficient of r = 0.533, p=0,221. The study underscores the significance of regular physical activity in enhancing athletes' healthy nutrition attitudes. The research also highlights that skipping meals has a detrimental effect on healthy nutrition attitudes among athletes, emphasizing the importance of regular and balanced meal consumption to maintain a positive attitude towards healthy nutrition.