Diet Quality and Mental Health Status among Division 1 Female Collegiate Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Natalie Christensen, Irene van Woerden, Nicki L. Aubuchon-Endsley, Pamela Fleckenstein, Janette Olsen and Cynthia Blanton
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Natalie Christensen: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA
Irene van Woerden: Department of Community and Public Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA
Nicki L. Aubuchon-Endsley: Department of Psychology, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, USA
Pamela Fleckenstein: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA
Janette Olsen: Department of Community and Public Health, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA
Cynthia Blanton: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: The International Olympic Committee has identified mental health as a priority that significantly affects the physical health and safety of collegiate athletes. Interventions that improve diet quality have been shown to improve mental health in several populations. However, studies are needed to examine this relationship in female collegiate athletes, who have elevated risk of experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as dietary insufficiencies. In a quantitative, cross-sectional study, female student athletes at a U.S. university completed three mental health questionnaires: Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ), and COVID Stress Scales (CSS). Each female athlete also completed a validated, web-based Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ-III) resulting in a Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Seventy-seven participants completed all survey information. HEI scores were consistently higher for athletes with poorer mental health. HEI scores were significantly positively associated with stress ( p = 0.015), performance concerns ( p = 0.048), CSS components of danger ( p = 0.007), contamination ( p = 0.006), and traumatic stress ( p = 0.003). Although findings support statistically significant associations among dietary quality and mental health indicators, including broad symptom severity or stressors specific to athletics or COVID-19, these associations were in the opposite direction hypothesized. Possible reasons for results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: female; collegiate athletes; diet quality; mental health; Healthy Eating Index; COVID-19; nutrition; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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