Investigation of the relationship between nutritional status, nutritional habits and social physics anxiety of licensed basketball and volleyball players aged 16-18

Adolescent athletes are a risky group in the development of eating habits and body perception. The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the nutritional habits and body perception of adolescent athletes. 304 volunteer adolescent licensed athletes between the ages of 16-18 in basketball and volleyball clubs participated in the study. The athletes' personal information and anthropometric measurements were taken, the Eating Habits Questionnare for Adolescents (EHQA), the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) were answered, and the Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire was used to evaluate daily food intake. It was determined that the athletes' nutritional habits were good (EHQA: 123.94±14.74) but their body perception was low (SPAS: 31.47±10.60). It is statistically significant that volleyball players (n:154) have higher social physique concerns, lower body image perceptions and nutritional behaviors are more affected by external factors than basketball players (n:150) (p<0.05). The same findings were seen when comparing women to men. Social physique anxiety was found to be high in those with a low BMI z-score (4.4%) and those who wanted to lose weight (37.5%) (p<0.05). It was also reported that those who skipped meals (55.6%), those who went on a diet in the last 30 days, and those who used various practices for weight loss had lower mean EHQA scores and higher SPAS scores than others (p<0.05). It was concluded that athletes' body perception levels affect their nutritional behavior and eating attitudes, causing behaviors such as skipping meals and dieting. It would be beneficial to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial and nutritional evaluation for adolescent athletes and provide detailed training on nutrition and body perception to the athletes and their surroundings.