The association between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015) score and body composition among Iranian soccer players and referees: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

For an optimal performance, soccer players and referees need to consume a high-quality diet. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a tool that can estimate diet quality and has been shown to be associated with body composition. The aims of the present study were first to determine the HEI-2015 score of the diets consumed by athletes and second its association with different body composition parameters of athletes. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 198 soccer players and referees. Dietary intakes were recorded using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and HEI scores were calculated. Body composition parameters were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis. The mean score for the HEI-2015 was 65⋅04. A multiple linear regression model showed significant associations of the HEI-2015 score with percent body fat (PBF), percent muscle mass (PMM), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in male soccer players aged <18 years, body mass index (BMI) in male soccer players aged ≥18 years and BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in male soccer referees after adjustment for covariates (P < 0⋅05). The mean overall score for the HEI-2015 shows that Iranian soccer players and referees have an acceptable quality of diet. We also found significant associations between the HEI-2015 score and different body composition parameters in male soccer players and referees but we did not find any significant association in female athletes (P > 0⋅05).

The association between diet quality indices and oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers and healthy active controls

“…Their results showed that HEI was significantly correlated with the percentage of muscle mass, WHR, and total body fat (TBF) in male referees and football players. Additionally, in the study mentioned above, consistent with the present study, the HEI scores showed moderate quality of the diet [ 21 ]. Therefore, encouraging football athletes to improve their diet quality can be considered.…”

“…The importance of diet quality for football players has been indicated, as explained earlier [ 21 , 22 ]. Additionally, to our knowledge, no research has been conducted on the relationship between diet quality and oxidative status among footballers.…”

“…It has been reported that oxidative balance is related to the quality of the diet [ 13 , 20 ]. In this regard, to prevent the harmful effects of OS and subsequently improve the performance of footballers, they are encouraged to consume a high-quality diet with sufficient calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients [ 21 , 22 ].…”

Effect of body composition on the athletic performance of soccer referees

“…The referee's performance is influenced by factors such as physical training, eating behaviours and body composition ( 1 ) . Diet quality affects body composition ( 5 ) . To maintain and improve their performance, soccer referees are recommended to consume a high-quality diet, to have optimal body composition.…”