Nutrition Education, Body Composition, and Dietary Intake of Female College Athletes.

In brief: This study examined the effects of nutrition education (through individual counseling) on the body composition and diet patterns of 39 female college athletes. Anthropometric and diet data were collected before and after the playing season. Ten of the athletes received individual nutrition counseling during the season and comprised group 1; the other 29 made up group 2. Neither group met the recommended dietary allowance for energy before or after the season, but group 1 significantly lowered fat and cholesterol levels and increased carbohydrate and fiber intakes. The findings suggest that individual counseling is effective in improving the diet quality of female athletes.