Abstract:
This study was assessed the dietary practices, frequency of food consumption, nutritional timing,
and knowledge about nutrition among adult football club players in the Dire Dawa City
Administration Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used, and 137 players from different
football clubs were chosen by systematic random sampling according to preset inclusion criteria.
A structured questionnaire was used to gather the data, and SPSS version 26.0 was used for
descriptive statistical analysis. The findings of the study were served as a reference for improving
sports nutrition education in the region and beyond. The results indicated that only 45% of players
consumed macronutrients within the recommended range, with deficiencies observed in proteinrich foods and vegetable intake. Moreover, 60% of players exhibited moderate nutritional
knowledge, while 70% reported inadequate alignment of meal timing with training and
competition requirements. Statistical analysis revealed significant gaps in dietary practices and
nutrition timing that could potentially impact player performance. This study highlights the critical
need for improved nutritional education, access to well-balanced meals, and adherence to
consistent meal timing among football players in Ethiopia. It is recommended that football clubs
and policymakers collaborate to implement nutrition education programs and facilitate better
meal planning and access. Further research should explore the barriers to optimal nutrition and
evaluate interventions to align dietary practices with evidence-based global nutritional guidelines,
tailored to Ethiopia’s context.
