Hydration, Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Age and Weight-Restricted Youth American Football Players

Abstract

There is a paucity of research examining hydration and nutrition behaviors in youth American football players. A potentially unique risk factor are league restrictions based on weight (WR) or age (AR). The purpose of this study was to examine hydration status between WR and AR leagues. The secondary purpose was to describe eating patterns in players. An observational cohort design with 63 youth football players (10 ± 1 yrs, 148.2 ± 9.4 cm, 44.9 ± 15.3 kg) was utilized. Independent variables were league (AR (n = 36); WR (n = 27)) and activity type (practice (PX = 8); game (GM = 3)). Dependent variables were hydration status (urine osmolality; percent change in body mass (%BM)), eating attitudes (Children’s Eating Attitude Test (ChEAT-26)) and self-reported frequency of meals. On average, players arrived activity mildly hypohydrated (830 ± 296 mOsm/kg) and %BM was minimal (−0.1 ± 0.7%) during events. Players consumed 2 ± 1 meals and 1 ± 1 snack before events. The ChEAT-26 survey reported 21.6% (n = 8) of players were at risk for abnormal eating attitudes. Among these players, eating binges, vomiting, excessive exercise and drastic weight loss were reported. Youth American football players arrived activity mildly hypohydrated and consumed enough fluid during activity to maintain euhydration. Abnormal eating attitudes and the use of unhealthy weight loss methods were reported by some youth American football players.

Habitual Total Drinking Fluid Intake Did Not Affect Plasma Hydration Biomarkers among Young Male Athletes in Beijing, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This highlights the importance of raising awareness about hydration status among young athletes. Furthermore, 63 youth football players with physical activity were mildly hypohydrated in free-living conditions [ 45 ]. Research has demonstrated that dehydration impedes physical performance.…”

Nutritional Recommendations for the Young Athlete

“…39 To combat dehydration, fluids should be readily available for consumption before, during, and after activity sessions, and contrary to the routines of many youth athletes, activity sessions need to be separated further to maintain their normal level of hydration. [40][41][42][43] Moreover, drinking fluids ad libitum during practices is insufficient to prevent further dehydration. 41 Therefore, coaches should encourage regular fluid consumption to prevent further dehydration of their athletes as well as to maintain adequate hydration for optimal performance.…”

Selection of Key Performance Indicators for Your Sport and Program: Proposing a Complementary Process-Driven Approach

“…A final example may be setting bodyweight targets, which could lead to athletes engaging in unhealthy weight loss behaviors. For example, 22% of youth American football players given bodyweight targets in order to be selected to compete were deemed to be at risk of abnormal eating behaviors, with eating binges, excessive exercise and drastic weight loss methods such as sauna use reported (61). Such body-mass manipulation can lead to dehydration that may affect performance in subsequent training activities (6), and similar thermal weight loss techniques have been described as “concerning” in combat sports (5).…”