Abstract
The concept of health closely associates absence of disease and a state of overall well-being (physical, mental, social). This state can be achieved by a healthy dietary habit and by engagement in physical activity. Despite this, children and teenagers are increasingly becoming overweight and obese. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether different exercise habits, dietary habits and self perceptions could influence anthropometric characteristics, in particular the body mass index (BMI), in selected participants in high-level sport aged between 10 and 18 years. An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 20 multiple choice questions was submitted to 1,096 participants (757 males and 339 females) undergoing the preparticipation physical examination that is necessary before taking part in high-level sport in Italy. A descriptive analysis was developed based on relative frequencies because of the qualitative nature of most of the questions with the aim of determining the influence on BMI of: each type of sport; training hours; training hours and type of sport; individual diet (carbohydrates and proteins); habit with regard to breakfast; hours of training and diet; and psychological motivations for eating. Only the combined action of a proper dietary habit and an adequate number of training hours resulted in a radical shift towards an optimal BMI. Moreover, a “negative” psychological motivation for eating possibly influenced the distribution of BMI even in athletes who followed a correct dietary and training lifestyle.
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Cerizza, C., Campanini, E., Di Benedetto, G. et al. Sports, dietary habits, self-perception and BMI in a sample of young Italian athletes. Sport Sci Health 6, 67 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-011-0099-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-011-0099-9