Association between Nutrient Intake and Height among Adolescent Athlete in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hubungan antara Asupan Zat Gizi dan Pertumbuhan Tinggi Badan pada Atlet Remaja di Indonesia: Studi Potong Lintang

Athlete Adolescence Nutritional Status Height Indonesia

Authors

  • Mirza Hapsari Sakti Titis Penggalih
    mirza.hapsari@ugm.ac.id
    Department of Health Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Raden Isnanta Deputy III for Sports Cultivation, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Bayu Rahadian Deputy III for Sports Cultivation, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Margono Margono Deputy III for Sports Cultivation, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Dadi Sujadi Deputy III for Sports Cultivation, Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Sifa Aulia Wicaksari Department of Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia , Indonesia
  • Vigur Dinda Yulia Reswati Student of Master of Public Health Science Study Program, Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Sinta Indriyani Dietitian Professional Education Student, Department of Health Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Ibtidau Niamilah Student of Master of Public Health Science Study Program, Faculty of Public Health Medicine and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
8 March 2024
Photo by Steven Lelham on Unsplash
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Background: Adequate nutritional intake in young athletes is important to support physical activity, growth, development, recovery, and performance. Inadequate intake may result in non-optimal growth and performance.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between nutrient intake and height among adolescent athletes in Indonesia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May-August 2022 in 5 athlete training centers in Indonesia. There were 330 athletes aged 12-18 years old who participated in study. The primary variables consisted of sociodemographic status, body height, nutritional status and nutrient intake.

Results: Median age of subjects was 16 years old, and predominately participating in sports more as strength athletes (66.1%) compared to endurance. Median height was 165 (140.4–191.5) cm, and the proportion of stunted was 3% and overweight-obese was 15.2%. Nutrient intakes per day were energy as 2,050 (582–4,355) kcal, protein 70.9 (15.9–184.4) g, fat 74.9 (11.3–230) g, carbohydrate 263.9 (65.1–708.4) g, calcium 347.6 (21.1–4507.5) mg, and vitamin D 1.80 (0–62.80) mg. The adequacy of energy was 71.2 (18.1–209.7)%, protein 67.5 (13.2–162.1)%, fat 61.3 (6.3–255.6)%, and carbohydrate 87.9 (13.8–352.9)%. Macronutrient intakes were significantly higher in endurance than strength subjects. Significant associations were found between energy, fat and carbohydrate intake with height and z-score height for age (p<0.05); while protein intake was significantly associated with body height.

Conclusions: Energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake were significantly associated with adolescent athletes' height. Optimizing macronutrients among athletes, especially height-oriented sports, is necessary for supporting athletes' performance.

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