COMMUNITY AND SPORT NUTRITION| NUTRITION & DIETETICS|L-15|

COMMUNITY AND SPORT NUTRITION

Sports nutrition is a broad interdisciplinary field that focuses on the science behind and application of proper nutrition during exercise.

The areas of interest are: body’s use of nutrients during athletic competition; the need, if any, for nutritional supplements among athletes; and the role of proper nutrition and dietary supplements in enhancing an athlete’s performance.

The psychological dimension of sports nutrition is concerned with eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions related to nutrition among athletes.

Macronutrients

Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories or energy to the body. The purpose of macronutrients is to promote healthy cellular growth, metabolism, and to maintain normal bodily functions. The macronutrients, as suggested by the name “macro,” are needed in the body in large amounts to provide the full and proper effect.

There are three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Carbohydrates are organic materials composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms which bond together to form monosaccharides or simple sugar molecules. Carbohydrates are found to form either a simple carbohydrate, composed of one monosaccharide, or a complex (composite) carbohydrate, composed of two or more monosaccharide molecules. When broken down, both simple and complex carbohydrates form glucose, which is the body’s main source of energy . In addition, carbohydrates form an important part of waste elimination and intestinal health, Carbohydrates can be found in most fruits, vegetables and grains and provide the body with 4 calories per gram .

Proteins are nitrogenous organic compounds which are involved with many of the body’s most crucial functions including:

Providing the primary workforce in the cells

Making hormones and enzymes

A high involvement with tissue repair.

Proteins also provide energy when there are not enough carbohydrates available as well as sustain lean body mass. Just as carbohydrates are composed of monosaccharides, proteins are composed of chains of amino acid molecules. Also just like carbohydrates, proteins provide the body with 4 calories per gram. Proteins are most commonly found in animal products, nuts, and beans .

Fats, which are collectively referred to as triglycerides, are molecules comprised of fatty acids and glycerol. Fats provide essential elements of cell membranes and also provide the body with the ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E [6]. As fats are the most energy-dense macronutrient, they also provide the highest calorie count, providing the body with 9 calories per gram instead of the 4 provided by one gram of either carbohydrate or protein. The three primary types of fat include:

Saturated fat

Unsaturated fat

Trans fat.

Saturated fat, such as that found in butter and cream, as well as trans fat, which is found in snack foods and fried foods, have been shown to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. While in turn, unsaturated fats, which are found in olive oil and canola oil, has been shown to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease .

In regards to athletes, the knowledge of what carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provide the body with will allow them to make the best dietary decisions regarding their performance goals.