Nutritional knowledge and status of Montenegrin athletes: Focus on general and sports nutrition | Nutritional knowledge and status of Montenegrin athletes

The assessment of athletes' nutritional status is a crucial aspect of enhancing sports performance, maintaining health, and reducing the risk of injuries. Nutritional status provides a comprehensive insight into athletes' dietary habits and needs, enabling tailored adjustments in energy and nutrient intake according to the specifics of individual sports, training intensity, and personal goals. The focus is often placed solely on the athletic component of training, while the nutritional factor is unjustly neglected. The aim of this study was to examine athletes' knowledge of proper nutrition and supplementation. A secondary objective was to assess the nutritional status of the studied group of athletes based on anthropometric parameters. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five towns in Montenegro (Podgorica, Bar, Berane, Budva, and Bijelo Polje) in 2022. The BMI calculated from anthropometric measurements (Mean 22.58±2.92) was within the normal range for 83.1% of the participants, 12.1% were overweight, and 4.8% were underweight. More than a third of participants (38.8%) reported using dietary supplements, with the majority (33.0%) taking supplements on their own initiative, while 17.0% followed medical advice. The percentage of correct answers ranged from 16.7% to 84.8%, with an overall mean of 1.53±0.15. A statistically significant influence of gender, education level, competition rank, and sources of nutrition information on participants' nutrition knowledge was found. No correlation was observed between BMI and overall nutrition knowledge, nor between overall knowledge and body fat presence. The results of the study suggest that integrated approaches to nutrition, based on precise assessments of nutritional status and education, significantly contribute to improved sports performance and athletes' health, and should be considered as a standard in sports practice. Nutrition education and support from certified dietitians in sports clubs could play a crucial role in achieving this goal. With a better understanding of nutrition, athletes can make informed food choices and optimize their performance, ultimately contributing to their overall health and success in sports.