Assessment of nutritional-dietary status, body composition, eating behavior, and perceived image in rhythmic gymnastics athletes

Introduction: among adolescent gymnasts some concern for body weight has been observed, with diets inadequate in energy and some nutrients in the search for maximum performance. Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary-nutritional status, body composition, eating behavior, and perceived body image concerns of female gymnasts at sub-national competition levels. In addition, to study the relationship between the prevalence of the risk of eating disorders and variables such as substance use, irregular menstruation, fatigue, and hours of sleep. Materials and method: a total of 33 female subelite gymnasts participated (age: M = 14.52, SD = 1.85), with age ranging from 11 to 18 years. Anthropometric evaluations (restricted profile) were made, the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) were administered, and the subjects were then interviewed for collecting sociodemographic, socio-sports, health, and food intake data. Results: the results showed that their diet was deficient, among other micro- and macro-nutrients, in water, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins D and E, fiber, iron and calcium, whereas they ingested an excess of vitamin A and sodium. These athletes had normal weight, high muscle mass values, low fat mass levels, and intermediate somatotype components (balanced endomorph with a tendency to central). Two cases at risk for an eating disorder, and concerns related to perceived body image in a quarter of the sample were identified. Conclusion: the risk of having an eating disorder is related to the consumption of prohibited drugs or addictive substances, irregular menstruation, tiredness, and fewer hours of sleep.Introducción: entre las gimnastas adolescentes se ha observado cierta preocupación por el peso, con dietas insuficientes en energía y algunos nutrientes en búsqueda del máximo rendimiento. Esta preocupación puede estar relacionada con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, menstruación irregular, cansancio y descanso insuficiente. Objetivos: evaluar el estado diétético-nutricional, la composición corporal, el comportamiento alimentario y la preocupación por la imagen corporal de las gimnastas de competición. Métodos: estudio observacional y transveral en el que participaron 33 gimnastas femeninas (edad: M = 14,52, DT = 1,85), subélite, de entre 11 y 18 años de edad. Se realizaron valoraciones antropométricas, se les aplicó un test de actitudes alimentarias (EAT-26) y un cuestionario sobre la figura corporal (BSQ), y se las entrevistó, recogiéndose datos sociodemográficos, sociodeportivos, de salud y sobre la ingesta. Resultados: la dieta de las deportistas es principalmente deficitaria en agua, carbohidratos, proteínas, vitaminas D y E, fibra, hierro y calcio, con sobreingesta de vitamina A y sodio. Las deportistas presentan normopeso y valores altos de masa muscular, bajos de masa grasa y medios de los componentes del somatotipo (endomorfo equilibrado con tendencia a central). Se detectaron dos casos de riesgo de trastorno de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) y preocupación por la imagen corporal percibida en un cuarto de la muestra. Conclusiones: el riesgo de padecer un TCA se relaciona con el consumo de fármacos prohibidos o sustancias adictivas, la menstruación irregular, el cansancio y dormir menos horas.