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SCAN’S PUL SE APublication for Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists Summer 2008 ® Vol. 27, No. 3 A Model for Nutrition Education for Use with Female Collegiate Athletes CONTENTS by Avital Pato Benari, MS, RD, and athletes are particularly vulnerable to 6,13,14 Paula A. Quatromoni, DSc, MS, RD these as well as other risks. AModel for Nutrition Education Although nutrition education is for Use with Female Collegiate It has long been recognized that advocated for female athletes, only a Athletes 1 sound nutrition practices are a few studies have involved collegiate fundamental component of every athletes.15 Most educational From the Editor 3 athlete’s training program,1-4 but interventions have not been misinformation abounds. Student successful at helping athletes adopt CPE article—Not All Dieting Is athletes are a unique population, healthier eating habits, perhaps Bad: The Relationship Between having the dual demands of both because of a lack of understanding 5 Dieting and Eating Pathology 5 academic and athletic performance. about the specific nutritional needs, Good nutrition can help them achieve attitudes, values, and beliefs of success in both domains. Proper athletes.12 The purpose of this study Dietary Guidance to Prevent nutrition leads to peak performance, was to determine what female Cancer: A Commentary on whereas suboptimal eating practices collegiate athletes perceive as their “Food, Nutrition, Physical can compromise performance, delay needs and desires for effective Activity, and the Prevention 6 recovery, and contribute to injury. nutrition interventions. of Cancer: A Global Perspective” 9 Other evidence demonstrates that cognitive performance is boosted by Research Methods From the Chair 11 7 consumption of breakfast and Six female student-athlete members healthful snacks.8 of a National Collegiate Athletic Conference Highlights 12 Athletes seek nutrition advice from Association (NCAA) Division 1 various sources including magazines, rowing team volunteered to Reviews 16 television, the Internet, peers, participate in this study. Women crew coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and members are relatively frequent users Sports Dietetics USA 5,9-11 16 other specialists. Since many of of nutrition services on our campus. Research Digest 18 these sources can be unreliable, They were selected for this pilot athletes are at risk of succumbing to study because their interests in SCAN Notables 20 inadequate or unhealthy dietary nutrition were not limited solely to practices. Factors that include weight control, but rather included a Of Further Interest 22 performance expectations and sport- genuine interest in nutrition specific and social influences may education for athletic performance Upcoming Events 24 encourage athletes to experiment and overall wellness. Research with fad diets and nutritional protocols were approved by the supplements in the hopes of Boston University Institutional achieving a competitive edge or a Review Board in the School of 12 desired body weight. Female Education. Because research SCAN’S PULSE Summer 2008 ADADietetic Practice Group of Sports, involving the athletes’ perspectives their food choices, the code assigned Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists on nutrition education is novel and was “budget.” (SCAN) not well described in the literature, The next step involved “axial SCAN Web site: http://www.scandpg.org qualitative research methods were coding,” which grouped together SCAN Office used in this pilot study. open codes that shared a similar Pamela Cramer, CAE, Executive Director 800/249-2875 or 847/441-7200 Private interviews, using a scripted conceptual meaning. For example, pcramer@thepmcgroup.com discussion guide, were conducted when several athletes identified Chair with each of the six female crew relatives, athletic trainers, and sport Hope Barkoukis, PhD, RD Brecksville, OH athletes. The interviewer was not the psychologists as salient and reliable 216/368-2441 sports nutritionist who provides sources of nutrition information, the Hope.Barkoukis@case.edu Chair-Elect nutrition services on campus; all code of “trustworthy advisor” was Gale Welter, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS interviews were conducted by a assigned. Tucson, AZ 520/621-4550 neutral person who was unknown to The final analytical step involved welterg@comcast.net the athletes. Each interview lasted 20 “selective coding,” in which codes Past Chair to 50 minutes, was digitally recorded, were clustered and mapped to reveal Roberta Anding, MS, RD, CSSD, CDE Houston, TX and later transcribed. Discussion three main theoretical constructs: 832/822-4005 topics queried athletes’ perceptions of Understand Me, Gain My Trust, and randing@houstontexans.com need for nutrition education services, Interact with Me. In this way, the Treasurer Richard E. Hall II, MS, RD sources of nutrition information, analytical process moved inductively Anthem, AZ influences on personal nutrition from the “grounded” transcriptions 602/284-4607 Rick.hall@asu.edu behavior, beliefs about nutrition and towards theme development. Secretary performance, and recommendations Kelly White, MS, RD for effective nutrition interventions. Defining the Model Starkville, MS kwhite@och.org Participants were given the The three main themes were then Partnerships Co-Directors opportunity to ask questions and used to generate a model for planning Julie Upton, MS, RD Jenna Bell-Wilson, PhD, RD, contribute additional commentary. All and delivering nutrition education Tiburon, CA CSSD 917/863-9152 Arlington, MA participants agreed to follow-up interventions for female collegiate julieupton@gmail.com 781/777-2799 contact. athletes (see figure). The components jennabw@gmail.com Member Services Director Interview transcripts were of our dynamic model—Understand Tara Coghlin Dickson, MS, RD, CSSD analyzed using grounded theory Me, Gain My Trust, and Interact with Mill Valley, CA methodologies.17 Because the primary Me—are closely interrelated. 650/723-5094 Tara.dickson@chw.edu purpose of grounded theory is to Understand Me. This component Continuing Education Director generate an explanatory model of of our model refers to the athletes’ Pamela Nisevich, MS, RD human behavior that emerges from basic need to have nutrition providers Beavercreek, OH 937/641-3434 qualitative data, this approach was understand fully who they are—as Pamela.nisevich@hotmail.org well-suited to the goals of this individuals, as athletes in their Public Relations Director exploratory research. Participant specific sport, and as college-age (to be appointed) Sports Dietetics USA Director responses were coded to identify women with the unique demands, Michele Macedonio, MS, RD, CSSD underlying themes and common stressors and realities associated with Loveland, OH patterns using established methods those multiple roles. 513/683-1405 M_A_Macedonio@fuse.net for qualitative research.17 The analysis 2008 Symposium Chair moved inductively from theoretical Figure.Theoretical Model of Nutrition Enette Larson-Meyer, PhD, grounded transcriptions towards MS, RD, CSSD Education Needs of Female Laramie, WY theme development to characterize Collegiate Athletes 307/766-4378 behavioral patterns, belief systems, Enette@uwyo.edu PULSE Editor-in-Chief and unmet needs conveyed by study Mark Kern, PhD, RD, CSSD participants in response to the San Diego, CA discussion topics presented. 619/594-1834 kern@mail.sdsu.edu The first step in the analysis ADAPractice Manager involved “open coding,” in which Frances Austin, RD participants’ statements, descriptions, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000 Chicago, IL 60606-6995 and ideas were grouped into codes 800/877-1600 ext. 4813 representing common themes 312/899-4812 – f faustin@eatright.org embedded in the interview ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ transcripts. For example, when 2 multiple participants described the cost of food as a major determinant of SCAN’S PULSE Summer 2008 The Understand Me construct speaks to the importance of a FROM THE EDITOR thorough needs assessment before delivering an intervention. In our study, this theme emerged from three Please Do Not Read This subcategories: 1) specific needs; 2) Stop right now! You can come back to read my letter later if you want, but inhibiting factors, and 3) life right now you should be reading our feature articles and the contributions experiences. Dietitians must in our usual departments, because that’s where the real scoops lie. In case understand the unique sport-specific you’re like most SCAN members and not easily swayed by the opinions of and position- or event-specific needs one person, I’ll go ahead and describe what you’re missing. of an individual athlete that First, right now you could be earning a free continuing professional distinguish her from both the education unit (CPEU) by reading the article that was masterfully crafted “average female” and the “average by Hollie Raynor, PhD, MS, RD, and then answering a few questions about female-athlete.” For example, whether dieting is likely to develop into a pathology. You’ll also find that appropriate interpretation of body Norman Hord, PhD, MPH, RD, has provided an excellent commentary on mass index data and energy the recent “Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: requirements for student-athletes is AGlobal Perspective.” I’m still surprised by some of what he discusses. essential, because guidelines for the Our cover article is a special treat. This original research article, written general population do not readily by Avital Pato Benari, MS, RD, and Paula A. Quatromoni, DSc, MS, RD, 18 apply to competitive athletes. describes a model that they developed for educating female collegiate Several athletes voiced this specific athletes. concern, as reflected in the following Elsewhere in this issue—in our “Conference Highlights”—we have comment: provided summaries of just a few of the many presentations that captured “When... sports nutritionists talk to attendees’ interest at the recent SCAN Symposium. Here you’ll also find a us... they say “for the average female who report on a fascinating conference sponsored by Tufts University. And don’t weighs 130 pounds, this is how many forget to peruse our latest resource reviews, check out the research digest calories she needs.” What? That’s of contributed by Sports Dietetics-USA(SD-USA), and read about the notable absolutely no relevance to me. I weigh accomplishments of our members. 170 pounds. Like, that’s really great. I’m guessing that you’re wishing you’d gone right to the heart of things, That’s not me. So make sure that it but if you didn’t and you started with this letter, hopefully this has whetted [nutrition advice] is relevant to the team your appetite and you’re ready to read on. or to the individual.” Insights into individualized sport requirements, training regimens in- Mark Kern, PhD, RD, CSSD season and off-season, performance Editor-in-Chief expectations, values and belief systems, personal food rituals, and practice commitments that interfere Inhibiting factors that prevent even need to be understood to maximize with daily eating routines are crucial well-informed athletes from eating effective interventions. to understanding the individual well need to be understood by the Gain My Trust. This construct athlete. As illustrated in the nutritionist. These factors include reflects the fact that athletes are often participant comment below, this kind limited time, lack of cooking skills, skeptical of nutrition information that of insight allows the nutritionist to and limited financial resources that comes from sources outside of their support the athlete who has become frequently determine food choice and immediate sport environment or empowered to link nutritious pre- consumption, as noted consistently in social network. Thus, the Gain My game food choices with good 11,19 performance; it also provides the other research. Trust theme illuminates the highly opportunity for clarification and Finally, student-athletes want valued role of trustworthy guidance if the athlete’s rituals are nutritionists to understand their life individuals and sources of nutrition dangerous or if belief systems are experiences and key factors that information from persons who faulty. influence their eating behaviors. interact daily with athletes. Advice is “The day before a race, I want to have Parents, roommates, teammates, considered valuable and meaningful rice because before I raced at the New coaches, trainers, cultural if it is trusted. England championships I had rice and I backgrounds, food preferences, Our participants identified family had a really good race and I don’t know if values, and personal belief systems members, sport psychologists, and it affected [the outcome], but it makes me were described as central components believe that I can affect it.” of the athletes’ life experiences that ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 3 SCAN’S PULSE Summer 2008 their trainers and coaches as trusted athletes should be interactive, be built behavioral change. While pieces of individuals. These persons are on open communication, address the evolving theory were previously considered trustworthy because they individual and team goals, published, our model is novel in that are known by the athlete, they are incorporate specific activities, and it depicts dynamic interrelationships accessible on a regular basis, and they allow for follow-up. between three equally important understand the athlete in her sport Athletes want practical components: understanding, trust, and show concern. The following information that will teach them how and interaction. This work is comment illustrates this: nutrition can maximize and enhance preliminary, limited by its small “If the strength coach is there...I mean, their performance. Interactions that sample size. The model warrants personally I think of my strength coach as are skills-based and help athletes additional investigation and somebody who has always been concerned overcome barriers to healthy eating exploration among larger groups of with health, nutrition, proper diet, proper such as cooking demonstrations and athletes from diverse sport environ- rest, recovery... So if I have a quick budget-conscious shopping advice ments. Nonetheless, our observations question about something, you know, I are highly valued, even when they reinforce the call to action by might be inclined to ask him, rather than are informal and less structured. Rosenbloom4 to work to define the seeking out an appointment with someone Team-based interactions that best nutrition education approaches else who’s not a part of my daily extend beyond individual services to effectively serve athlete popula- schedule.” can effectively address team tions and lessen the burden of nutri- For a nutritionist to have a similar dynamics, group norms, and the tional risk among female athletes. impact, he or she must earn the sport environment that potentially athlete’s trust, express empathy, and impact nutrition behaviors and goals. Avital Pato Benari, MS, RD, is a be easily accessible. Only one other For example, athletes want help in nutritionist, doctoral student, and study noted trust as an essential making healthier choices when instructor in the Department of factor for delivering nutrition Curriculum and Teaching at Boston 20 interventions to competitive athletes. University’s School of Education. Paula In the Gain My Trust theme, daily or “For a nutritionist Quatromoni, DSc, MS, RD, is an weekly contact that is convenient and assistant professor of nutrition in the unstructured appears central to trust. to have a similar Department of Health Sciences and a Interact with Me. This component impact, he or she must sports nutritionist at Boston University’s of the model characterizes the desire Sargent College of Health and of athletes to have relevant, earn the athlete’s trust, Rehabilitation Sciences. meaningful, and ongoing working relationships with nutrition express empathy, and References providers. This directive challenges 1. Short SH, Short WR. Four-year nutrition professionals to provide be easily accessible.” study of university athletes’ dietary dynamic and engaging educational intake. J Am Diet Assoc. 1983;82:632-45. sessions with student-athletes using 2. Clark N, Nelson M, Evans W. creative combinations of group and traveling for competition, including Nutrition education for elite female individual strategies. Consider this recommendations for making runners. The Physician & Sport comment from one participant: selections from restaurant menus and Medicine. 1998;16:124-139. “It can’t really be a lecture, because if packing nutritious snacks for long 3. Jacobson BH, Aldana SG. Current you give a lecture you’re once again being bus rides. nutrition practice and knowledge of told what to do and you’re not allowed to, Finally, athletes want ongoing varsity athletes. J Appl Sport Sci Res. like, ask questions about why you should follow-up and monitoring. They need 1992;6:232-238. do it and, you know…like just a evidence that their plan is working or 4. Rosenbloom CA, Skinner R. conversation between two people while the opportunity to refine their plan if College athletes. In: Rosenbloom CA, cooking…I don’t want somebody to tell it is not. ed. Sports Nutrition: A Guide for the me how to eat. I want to have a dialogue Professional Working with Active People. about why I should eat it and how it can Significance of this Model 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: American Dietetic help me.” This work is unique in that it Association; 2000:283-294. provides the first model for effective 5. Abood DA, Black DR. Health Summarizing the Results nutrition intervention derived from education prevention for eating In short, we found that nutrition the athletes’ perspective. Achterberg disorders among college female education services for student & Miller21 claim that although athletes. Am J Health Behav. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ numerous theories are currently used 2000;24:209-211. 4 in nutrition education, none of them 6. Beals KA, Manore MM. Nutritional can fully predict behavior or status of female athletes with
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