Nutritional status and practices among Chinese marathon runners: data from the China marathon nutrition survey (CMNS)

BACKGROUND: The increasing popularity of marathon running in China highlights the need to better understand the dietary habits and nutritional needs of marathon runners to optimize performance and health outcomes. The study aimed to assess the dietary behaviors, nutritional knowledge, and running-specific nutritional practices of Chinese marathon runners as part of the China Marathon Nutrition Survey (CMNS). METHODS: , was developed by the research team for the CMNS project. The CMNS questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, running experience, and nutrition-related behaviors among Chinese marathon runners across different genders, ages, and performance levels. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with nutritional practices. RESULTS: < 0.001) tended to score higher. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into the nutritional knowledge, dietary behaviors, and race-specific nutrition practices of Chinese marathon runners, offering important baseline data for improving endurance nutrition. Common issues were identified in daily macronutrient intake, hydration, and race-day fueling. These findings underscore the gaps between knowledge and practice, emphasizing the need for tailored nutrition education, particularly for recreational runners through race organizers or public platforms.