Understanding food choices and eating practices of Brazilian and Spanish athletes in aesthetics and weight class sports

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding determinants of food choices and eating practices of aesthetics and weight class athletes from two countries. Methods: In this qualitative study, through recorded in-depth individual and focal group interviews, gymnasts (n = 16) and martial arts (n = 18) athletes from Brazil and Spain reported their eating practices. Transcripts were analyzed through the Content Analysis method. Results: The main determinants of athletes' eating practices were the quest for a specific body in line with each sports' discipline and cultural food aspects. The everyday eating practices respected the country of origin's food culture; however, some practices, especially aiming at weight loss were similar in both countries and related to the sports discipline. Female Brazilian aesthetics athletes were particularly worried about achieving a thinner body. Martial arts athletes from both countries reported adopting fast weight loss strategies presently or at some point in their sports trajectory. Internal and external pressure to lose weight was a constant factor, especially amongst Brazilians. Conclusions: There is a specific body culture in each sport discipline, which extends beyond country borders. The idealized bodies athletes seek are constructed socially according to their sports. This confers them an identity and promotes beliefs and meanings to foodways. The sportsrelated eating practices which superimposed national foodways were similar in both countries, suggesting a group identity process, and the existence of a "sports discipline's food culture". Understanding athletes' determinants of food choices and eating practices provide insights to address the gap between nutritional recommendations and eating practices.

Determinants of Food Choice in Athletes: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…The final citations included 13 primary research studies [ 22 – 34 ], two theses [ 35 , 36 ], one short conference paper [ 37 ] and three conference abstracts [ 38 – 40 ]. The four records identified as conference abstracts or papers were excluded.…”

“…Narrative data were extracted from the primary research studies and theses that were included in the review (Table 1 and 2 ). The data were charted into two categories (1) Qualitative research design on the broader concept of food choice (one research thesis [ 35 ] and six primary research studies [ 22 – 24 , 26 , 33 , 34 ], all with semi-structured interviews and predominately underpinned by grounded theory); and (2) Quantitative research design (one research thesis [ 36 ] and seven primary research studies [ 25 , 27 – 32 ]; seven with cross-sectional observation methodology using variable survey instruments [ 25 , 27 – 29 , 31 , 32 , 36 ] and one cross-sectional validation study [ 30 ]. All studies were published between 2001 and 2021 with 10 published since 2018 [ 25 – 34 ].…”

“…Five studies (four quantitative [ 25 , 29 , 30 , 32 ] and one qualitative [ 33 ]) involved athletes across multiple sports. Single sports that were investigated included endurance ( n = 4; triathlon, cyclists, distance runners and adventurers, cross country running) [ 23 , 28 , 31 , 36 ], team ( n = 5; soccer [ 27 ], ice hockey [ 22 ], American Football [ 24 , 35 ], rugby union [ 26 ]) and aesthetic ( n = 1; gymnastics and martial arts [ 34 ]) sports. Of the quantitative studies, three were conducted during competition [ 29 , 30 , 32 ], two pre-competition [ 28 , 36 ], and two were not specified [ 27 ].…”

“…Of the quantitative studies, three were conducted during competition [ 29 , 30 , 32 ], two pre-competition [ 28 , 36 ], and two were not specified [ 27 ]. The qualitative studies consisted of one pre-season [ 23 ], three not specified [ 26 , 33 , 34 ], and three conducted both in and out of competition [ 22 , 24 , 35 ].…”

“…Athletes’ home country varied with mixed cohorts from multiple locations ( n = 4) [ 25 , 29 , 30 , 32 ] and those specific to individual countries (USA n = 5 [ 22 , 24 , 31 , 33 , 35 ], Australia n = 1 [ 36 ], New Zealand n = 1 [ 26 ], Brazil and Spain n = 1 [ 34 ], Britain n = 2 [ 23 , 28 ], Ethiopia n = 1 [ 27 ]. Five studies [ 23 , 27 , 28 , 33 , 36 ] did not report the cultural background of the athletes participating in the study.…”