| The objective of this study was to explore the association between male body attitudes and the level of sports nutrition knowledge in a cross-sectional sample of male collegiate athletes. The 198 participants consisted of male athletes at two Midwestern universities each athletically classified as Division I (N = 62) and Division III (N = 121). The MAN (Male Attitudes and Nutrition) Survey was used through an online management system to measure sports nutrition knowledge and male body attitudes as well as collect demographic data. On the nutrition questionnaire, athletes scored an average 58% correct and on the MBAS (Male Body Attitudes Survey) athletes scored an average 2.72 on a 6-point Likert scale (higher numbers indicate more negative attitudes). Overall, the data did not support an association between male athlete body attitudes and their level of sports nutrition knowledge, r(181) = -0.08, p = 0.26. Data also did not support the association between male athlete body attitudes and the score of the weight management and eating disorder subscale from the nutrition questionnaire, r(181) = -.07, p = 0.32.;Chi-square test results showed differences among subgroups within the population. Relationships were shown between nutrition knowledge and year in school (chi2 (9) = 18.72, p = 0.03), sport (chi 2 (24) = 44.39, p = 0.007), and primary position/event (chi 2 (15) = 33.72, p = 0.004) as well as between the MBAS and year in school (chi2 (12) = 26.63, p = 0.009) and primary position/event (chi2 (32) = 50.92, p = 0.02). More research is needed to determine why particular groups have higher knowledge and more positive body attitudes. Because nutrition knowledge scores were low, newer research in designing nutrition education and support programs is warranted as well. |
