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. 2025 May 2;17(1):110.
doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01157-8.

Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region

Joshua Musau  1   2 , Oluyemisi F Folasire  3   4 , Nonhlanhla S Mkumbuzi  5   6   7   8
Affiliations

Sports nutrition knowledge, source of nutrition information and dietary consumption pattern of Ugandan endurance athletes: a cross-sectional study of the Sebei sub-region

Joshua Musau et al. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. .

Abstract

Background: Athletes' nutrition knowledge depends on the sources of nutrition information they are exposed to and their social status. Currently, there is a dearth of literature on the nutrition knowledge of Ugandan athletes. This study assessed endurance athletes' sports nutrition knowledge, sources of nutrition information, and their dietary consumption patterns.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study including 100 purposively selected (middle and long distance) athletes from four Athletic Management camps was conducted in Kapchorwa district, Uganda. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, trained research assistants collected athletes' demographic information, knowledge, practices, sources of nutrition information and consumption patterns. ANOVA, Independent t-test, Chi-square analysis, and Binary logistic analyses were done using SPSS® software version 23.0.

Results: Most athletes n = 74 (74.0%) in this study were aged between 15 and 17 years with at least 2 years' experience in athletics. Majority n = 68 (68.0%) of the athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge while n = 32 (32.0%) showed poor knowledge. About n = 88 (88.0%) knew that vitamin consumption can enhance recovery after training. Athletic trainers n = 49 (49.0%) and family/parents n = 28 (28.0%) were primary sources of nutrition information, while nutritionists/dietitians n = 5 (5.0%) and the internet n = 4 (4.0%) were less consulted. Cereals were the most consumed food group n = 72 (72.0%), followed by legumes and nuts n = 67 (67.0%) while the least consumed foods were milk/egg n = 33 (33.0%)), fish n = 25 (25.0%) and meat/poultry n = 13 (13.0%). Good sports nutrition knowledge was associated with adequate dietary practices (p = 0.009). Sports nutrition knowledge differed significantly with age group (F = 4.566, p = 0.013), and between female and male (F = 21.884, p < 0.000) athletes. Age group was a significant predictor (β = 1.925, Ex(β) = 6.853, C. I = 0.882-36.096, p = 0.023) of sports nutrition knowledge.

Conclusions: In this study endurance athletes had good sports nutrition knowledge, and relied primarily on their coaches/trainers for sports nutrition information. It is recommended that athletic trainers be offered supplementary training in sports nutrition to ensure proper nutrition knowledge dissemination among athletes.

Keywords: African athletes; Athlete; Endurance; Knowledge; Nutrition; Sports.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The ethics review committee of Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (UNCST) (Ref No: HG2674ES) approved the study. Informed consent was obtained from each participant above consenting age while for those under 18 years old, their parents and legal guardians gave informed consent for participation in our study. This was done after giving an explanation of our study objectives and answering all questions from the participants, parents or legal guardians regarding the study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: NSM is an Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) while JM and OFF declare no conflicting interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Dietary consumption frequency of Ugandan endurance athletes from the Sebei sub-region (N = 100) Dietary consumption pattern
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sources of nutrition information among Ugandan endurance athletes from the Sebei sub-region (N = 100) Sources of nutrition information
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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