Date of Award

5-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Carine Platat

Second Advisor

Dr. Syed Mahboob Ali Shah

Third Advisor

Dr. Amita Attlee

Abstract

Objectives: The goals of this project are 1) To assess the nutritional status, 2) To describe the nutritional knowledge, 3) To describe Nutritional Practices, Dietary Habits for Athletic individual in the United Arab Emirates, Then to investigate the relations of both Nutritional status and Knowledge with Performance.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was done to conducted in a sample of 59 Athletes recruited from AI Jazeera Academic sports clubs in the UAE in which, Nutrition Knowledge, Practices and Habits was evaluated by questionnaire, different components of the nutritional status (Weight, Body Composition, Skin Fold Thickness, Biochemical Parameters) and the Physical Performance was assessed. SPSS software v.20 was used to perform statistical analyses.

Results: Food frequency consumption separated the frequency of consumption of different food per week. Food were separated into the six main food groups: 1) Cereals, legumes, nuts and grains(14.11±4.56), 2) Milk, dairy products(10.00±3.32), 3) Meat, Fish(5.93±2.28), 4)Fruits and Vegetables,(11.11 ±4.55), 5) Snack food (7.91 ±3.23)Beverages(8.25±2.55) by the athletes .The significant relationship was found between Mothers education level and Milk Group (P-value<0.01).The significant relationship was found between Snack group and Weight(kg) (P-value<0.03), there was found significant relationship for athletes consumed Snack group and Skin Fold Sub-scapular (P-value=0.04) and for the rest of athletes there was relationship between Milk Group and Bone Mineral Content (g) (P-value=0.04). There were significant relation between Cereal Group and Hemoglobin (mg/dl) (P-value=0.01), the significant relationship was found between Snack group and Mean Platelet volume (Hectoliters) (P-value=0.02). Knowledge score was (80.73±8.81), score for Self Efficiency (18 .88±3.66) and Attitude (21.30±1.88). Knowledge score was (80.73±8.81), score for Self Efficiency (18.88±3.66) and Attitude (21.30±1.88).

Conclusions: The majority of the adolescent Soccer players considered in this study fell into the normal Weight category and all are of a normal Height according to the Anthropometric data. The implication of this finding is that the athletes are considered to have an excess of body fat stores, Anemia, low blood results and less Skin Fold then it is desirable, which is not desirable for Soccer players. A quite good Dietary Knowledge but limited healthy Dietary Practices and limited ability to change were observed, with a significant influence of the family environment. A high prevalence of anemia and a low cardio respiratory fitness were also demonstrated.

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