I.C. Elendu
Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
O.A. Umeakuka
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
A cross-sectional survey design was used to explore the weight-loss practices among gymnasts in Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were collected from eighteen gymnasts using 11-item structured questionnaire. The generated data were analyzed using percentage and chi-square statistics. Results showed that majority of the gymnasts decreased their consumption of calories (77.78%), increased their expenditure of calories through exercise (88.89%), restrict food (94.44%), over-exercise (83.33%) and engage in voluntary fluid reduction or dehydration (83.33%) to lose weight. Among the findings was that the gymnasts' gender, age and years of sporting experience had significant influence on increase expenditure of calories through exercise, food restriction, use of drugs, use of nutritional supplements and use of steam baths or saunas for weight-loss. Among the recommendations are that nutritionist/dieticians should be employed and integrated into the gymnastics team to provide and guide the gymnasts on how to effectively use healthy and supervised nutrition to lose weight. The gymnasts should be educated on the health and performance effects of engaging in harmful weight-loss practices through seminars. Stakeholders should be sensitized on the weight-loss practices. This will enable them to discourage any gymnast planning to adopt unhealthy weight-loss measures.
PDF References
How to cite this article
I.C. Elendu and O.A. Umeakuka, 2010. An Exploratory Study of Weight-Loss Practices of Gymnasts in Rivers State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9: 352-357.
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2010.352.357
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2010.352.357
DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2010.352.357
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjn.2010.352.357
REFERENCES
- Ashley, C.D., J.F. Smith, J.B. Robinson and M.T. Richardson, 1996. Disordered eating in female collegiate athletes and collegiate females in an advanced program of study: A preliminary investigation. Int. J. Sport Nutr., 6: 391-401.
PubMedDirect Link - Chng, C.L. and A. Moore, 1990. A study of steroid use among athletes: Knowledge, attitude and use. Health Edu., 21: 12-17.
Direct Link - Davis, C., 1992. Body image, dieting behaviours and personality factors: A study of high-performance female athletes. Int. J. Sports Psychol., 23: 179-192.
Direct Link - Dummer, G.M., L.W. Rosen, W.W. Heusner, P.J. Roberts and J.E. Counsilman, 1987. Pathogenic weight-control behaviors of young competitive swimmers. Phys. Sportsmed, 15: 75-84.
Direct Link - French, S.A., R.W. Jeffery and D. Murray, 1999. Is dieting good for you?: Prevalence, duration and associated weight and behaviour changes for specific weight loss strategies over four years in US adults. Int. J. Obes., 23: 320-327.
Direct Link - Gisolfi, C.V. and S.M. Duchman, 1992. Guidelines for optimal replacement beverages for different athletic events. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 24: 679-687.
PubMedDirect Link - Harris, M.B. and D. Greco, 1990. Weight control and weight concern in competitive female gymnasts. J. Sport Exerc. Psychol., 12: 427-433.
Direct Link - Johnson, M.D., 1994. Disordered eating in active athletic women. Clin. Sports Med., 13: 355-369.
PubMedDirect Link - Knoke, J.D. and E. Barrette-Connor, 2003. Weight loss: A determinant of hip bone loss in older men and women. Am. J. Epidemiol., 158: 1132-1138.
Direct Link - Loosli, A.R., J. Benson, D.M. Gillien and K. Bourdet, 1986. Nutrition habits and knowledge in competitive adolescent female gymnasts. Phys. Sportsmed, 14: 118-130.
Direct Link - Neumark-Sztainer, D., J. Patterson, A. Mellin, D.M. Ackard, J. Utter and J. Sockalosky, 2002. Weight control practices and disordered eating behaviors among adolescent females and males with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 25: 1289-1296.
CrossRefDirect Link - O'Dea, J.A. and P. Caputi, 2001. Association between socioeconomic status, weight, age and gender and the body image and weight control practice of 6-9 year old children and adolescents. Health Edu. Res., 6: 521-532.
Direct Link - Perriello, V.A., 2001. Aiming for healthy weight in wrestlers and other athletes. Contemp. Pediatr., 18: 55-74.
Direct Link - Petri, T.A. and S. Stoever, 1993. The incidence of bulimia nervosa and pathogenic weight control behaviors in female collegiate gymnasts. Res. Quart. Exerc. Sport, 64: 238-241.
PubMedDirect Link - Reginald, L., T. David, S. Joel, G. Jorge, J.M. Thomas, E.R. Frederick and G.R. Stephen, 2005. Promotion of healthy weight-control practices in young athletes. Pediatrics, 116: 1557-1564.
CrossRefDirect Link - Rosen, L.W. and D.O. Hough, 1988. Pathogenic weight-control behaviors of female college gymnasts. Phys. Sportsmed., 16: 141-144.
Direct Link - Rosen, L.W., D.B. McKeag, D.O. Hough and V. Curley, 1986. Pathogenic weight-control behavior in female athletes. Phys. Sportsmed., 14: 79-83.
Direct Link - Smiley, N., S.D. Aberedeen and J. Lim, 2008. Eating disorders among female college athletes. Sport J.
Direct Link - Sykora, C., C.M. Grilo, D.E. Wilfley and K.D. Brownell, 1993. Eating, weight and dieting disturbances in male and female lightweight and heavyweight rowers. Int. J. Eat Disord., 14: 203-211.
PubMedDirect Link - Weiss, E.C., D.A. Galuska, L.K. Khan and M.K. Serdula, 2006. Weight-control practices among U.S. adults, 2001-2002. Am. J. Prev. Med., 31: 18-24.
PubMedDirect Link - Zaggelidis, S., K. Martinidis, G. Zaggelidis and T. Mitropoulou, 2005. Nutritional supplements use in elite gymnasts. Phys. Train.
Direct Link