Dietary Pattern and Body Composition of Professional Football Players in Ghana: Implications on fitness and performance

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Good dietary practice is essential in sports as it improves the quality of training, maximizes performance and aids in the speedy recovery of players from injuries. A balanced diet provides adequate nutrients and energy to achieve these purposes. Nutritional status is also essential in ensuring optimum performance among athletes. But one may not achieve optimum nutritional status with poor dietary practices. Thus, footballers' poor dietary patterns and sub-optimal nutrition could lead to low fitness and poor performance during competitions. Aim This study aimed to assess the dietary pattern and body composition of professional football players in Ghana, and its implications on fitness and performance. Methods The study was cross-sectional. One hundred and nineteen footballers from five teams were randomly recruited for the study by quota sampling. Dietary behaviour pattern was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and body composition was measured using Omron bio-impedance body analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 for windows and Microsoft Excel 2013. Correlations were determined among anthropometric variables, while eta-squared was used to determine associations between dietary patterns and anthropometric characteristics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The mean age of the footballers was 21.57 ± 4.3 years, with the majority (58%) within the 20–29-year group. Three dietary patterns explained 50% of the variation in diets of the footballers; 1) Fruits and vegetables, 2) energy and fiber foods (Modern Ghanaian), and 3) protein and starchy foods (Typical Ghanaian). Over 30% of the footballers were overweight. Animal protein consumption explained 9% [F (4, 130) = 2.446, p = 0.05] of the variation in BMI of the footballers with cereals and grains explaining 18% of the variation in BMI [F(4, 130) = 6.212, p < 0.001]. Percentage muscle mass negatively correlated to BMI (p < 0.01), whiles visceral fat correlated positively with BMI and body fat (p < 0.01). Conclusion Dietary pattern depicts low intakes of animal protein and fruits with high intakes of energy giving foods. Thus, professional footballers need targeted education on adequate diets to prevent the risk of iron deficiency which may result in low fitness and poor performance.