A Study on Dietary, Energy and Nutrient Intake among Long Distance Athletes in Ngong’ Private Training Camps, Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on long-distance athletes training in selected private training camps in Ngong area, Kenya. The study was informed by inadequacy of food, calorie, Protein, Calcium and Iron intake reported by research findings. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and the whole population of 36 athletes comprising 23 men and 13 women athletes participated. Food frequency questionnaire was used to collect data on food intake, while 24-hour Food Recall was used to determine their mean daily intake. Standard measuring equipment were used for accuracy of the results. The data was then analyzed by determining percentage and means of food and nutrient intake, and results presented in graphical and tabular form. Inferential statistics were done using t-test, to establish the difference between calorie intake by men and women, as well as difference in intake of protein, fat, calcium and iron by the two groups. Results indicate that dairy products and cereals were the most frequently consumed foods at 96%, followed by green leafy vegetables at 88% and meat at 63 %. The mean daily carbohydrate intake for women and men was 37.4% and 47.9% respectively, while the average daily fat intake was 39% and 37 % of the RDA respectively. Mean daily protein intake for women and men was at 54.6% and 58.9%, and the mean daily iron intake was at 53.1% and 79.8% of the RDA for men and women respectively. The average calcium intake for women and men was at 59% and 68.8% of the RDA respectively. The findings indicated that there was diversity in diet in athlete training camps, but calorie and nutrient intake was inadequate. There was need therefore, for coaches to incorporate sports’ nutrition education in training camps to sensitize athletes on good dietary habits inorder to ensure adequate nutrition for optimal performance.