Relationship of Energy and Nutrient Intakes on Nutritional status of Young Athletes in Semarang

Abstract

Fulfillment of energy needs and nutrients was a major factor that could optimized the nutritional status of athletes in order to improve their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between energy and macronutrients intake with the nutritional status of young athletes in Education Center for Student Sports Training, Semarang. This descriptive correlation study used cross-sectional design in 40 student athletes from martial arts branches. BMI and percent body fat were used as the main indicator of the nutritional status assessment of the subject. The subject’s body fat thickness was measured to estimated the percent of body fat. The subject’s intake and adequacy of the energy, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins also measured using a multiple 24-hours recall (three days nonconsecutive). Results show that the daily energy, carbohydrates, proteins, and fat intake are not significantly correlate with BMI for age (p > 0.05). In addition, daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, proteins and fats are related significantly with the percent of body fat (p<0.05) despite the adequacy of energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels entirely. It can be concluded that the daily intake of energy and macronutrients can affect body fat composition. Keywords— athletes, intake, nutritional status