Sport Types and Time Spent Playing Sport Are Associated with Eating Pattern Among Young Brazilian Athletes

Background: Nutritional studies on athletes have focused on the intake of nutrients and nutritional supplements. The lack of sufficient evidence on eating pattern is challenging for those advising athletes on their daily dietary patterns during training and competitions. Objectives: To identify the eating pattern of high school athletes and its association with sport characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 248 Brazilian athletes (170 boys; age range, 14 - 20 years). We assessed the frequency of meals, unhealthy and healthy food items, and sports variables. Poisson regression model and the effect measure [prevalence ratio, PR] was analyzed. Results: The athletes exhibited low breakfast consumption and lunch or dinner with parents, as well as a low consumption of healthy food items. More than one-third of all athletes ate vegetables and fruits on≤2 days per week. We found a positive association between the time spent practicing the sport type and the regular consumption of raw salad and fruits. Soccer athletes had the worst eating pattern, including high soft drink (PR, 1.32; 1.10 - 1.60) consumption and the lowest bean (PR, 1.13; 1.01 - 1.26), raw salad (PR, 1.19; 1.04 - 1.37), and vegetable (PR, 1.10; 1.01 - 1.22) consumption, whereas the volleyball players exhibited themost adequate eating pattern. Conclusions: Sports types and the time spent practicing these sports are associated with eating pattern. This information may be crucial for improving performance and promoting healthy habits that could benefit athletes even after their sports career.