Abstract:
Football, the most common sports worldwide, is played in almost all nations. Success in
football brings reputation, wealth and international recognition but comes as a result of
regular physical training with muscular exertions. Good nutrition is an essential tool to help
football players meet the energy demands of training in order to maintain performance
capacity and prevent the development of excessive fatigue. The objective of this study was to
assess the nutritional status and dietary intake of Hadiya Hossana Male Football SuperLeague
Club players. The study was used to cross-sectional method. A structured
questionnaire was used; weighed food record was also conducted to assess intakes of energy,
protein, carbohydrate and fat. Height and weight measurement were used to calculate body
mass index and determine nutritional status of the football player. Software was used to
analysis the dietary intakes. SPSS version, 20 and Ms-Excel 2010 soft-ware was used for
analysis. The participants were aged between 18-30 years and 100% were male. A total of
twenty eight football players were involved in this study. the case of age, total 25 (89%),
of the football players respondents were obtained between 18-29 years of age and, 3
(11%) of the respondent was 30-39 years. All the football players 24 (85%) that
participated in the study had completed secondary school education. A 3 (11%) of the football
players had Diploma level education and 1(3%) of the football players 1st degree. none of the
football players had 2nd degree and Primary school. Based on their body mass index-for-age,
most of the players 23(82%) are classified as normal weight, 5(17.9 %) underweight. The total
energy expenditure is 3573±7.4 kcal/day. The mean energy intake of this study was
3598.00±00 kcal the relative range with total energy expenditure by 3573±7.4 kcal/day. The
macronutrient intake also exceeds recommendations for football player, the mean total energy
intake was no significant difference energy expenditure, carbohydrate intake and protein
intake are above the levels recommended but fat intake was lower from the recommended
amount. Based on these findings, the players will require counseling regarding practical
advice to meet, but not exceed, energy as well as macronutrient requirements especially
carbohydrate and protein.
Key words: Dietary Intake, Energy
