Author(s): SZIRAKI, ZS., NYAKAS, CS., SZMODIS, M. , Institution: UNIVERSITY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, Country: HUNGARY, Abstract-ID: 2111

INTRODUCTION:
An adequately composed diet plays a particularly important role in the proper development and sports performance of adolescent athletes. The purpose of the study was to determine whether young female handball players consume adequate amounts of nutrients, especially calcium and iron.
METHODS:
32 elite youth female athletes (age 15.34 ± 1.89 y, body height 166.7 ± 5.81 cm, body weight 60.61 ± 9.47 kg, BMI 21.81 kg/m2) were included in our cross-sectional study (2020-2021). Anthropometric measurements (Inbody 770, skinfold measurements) were performed on the athletes, and they also filled out a 3-Day Food Record (Analysis software: Nutricomp DietCAD 5.0). The statistical analysis was performed with the JAMOVI 2.4.14 program. The significance level was p <0.05.
RESULTS:
The daily total energy intake (TEI) was 1994 ± 569 kcal. Of the TEI, 17.5%, 34%, and 48.5% were comprised of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, respectively. The average daily consumption of calcium and iron was 624 ± 200 and 10.58 ± 4.21 mg, and folic acid and vitamin B12 intake was 179 ± 99.8 mg and 2.61 ± 1.97 mcg, which are all below the recommended values for the age group (p <0.001). The average intake value of vitamin C was 238 ± 437 (M=112) mg, which exceeded the required values.
CONCLUSION:
The macronutrient ratios of the surveyed athletes are disadvantageous: a shift can be observed in favor of fat intake compared to carbohydrates, which are more important in terms of sports performance. Furthermore, the intake amount of micronutrients is unfavorable, which is worrisome from the point of view of both proper development and long-term health preservation and sports performance. This deplorable intake deficit is in line with the results of both Hungarian youth people with an average level of physical activity and international elite youth athletes.