Abstract:

Adolescence is the period comprised from 10 to 19 years old, is the second period in which growth has its maximum speed. Adolescent athletes, due to the energy demand, may have significant dietary deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy and quality of the diet of teenagers' futsal players from categories under 13, under 15 and under 17, before and after dietary intervention for healthy eating. The nutritional intervention was performed during March to May 2015, which consisted of provide guidance for healthier eating habits with the futsal team of a sports club in Pelotas, southern Brazil, using as parameter the Ten Steps of Healthy Eating from Brazilian Ministry of Health to Adolescents. Nutritional status and food intake were assessed before and after the intervention, with an interval of eight weeks between meetings. The study included 32 male adolescents. The average body mass index of athletes was 22.3 ± 4.1 kg/m². Regarding the variables related to food consumption, macronutrients and calories showed no statistically significant changes, and fluid intake was the only variable that increased post-intervention (p = 0,05). The results stress the importance of nutritional counseling for adolescent athletes. The nutritional intervention used proved inefficient to change dietary habits in this given period of time.

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