Nutritional profile of basic and pre-season grassroots athletes in middle season of a Brazilian football club of the A series

Data on food habits of high yield adolescent athletes are limited and it is unclear whether they follow and maintain the specific dietary recommendations for each sport and according to their age. Aim: to analyze the differences in food intake and body composition of young soccer players of a Brazilian football club in pre-season and in the middle of the sports season. Methods: were selected football players with age between 14 and 19 years. A questionnaire was applied to food consumption frequency for estimating energy consumption and macro and micronutrients. Then the weight was evaluated, height, and body composition by densitometry by dual emission X-ray. Results: There was a weight and height growth of players, with increased energy consumption of protein and carbohydrates in the middle of the sports season in relation to the pre-season. A significant reduction in fat mass (p = 0.02) in the middle and temperate significant increase (p < 0.001) in lean body mass was observed. Conclusion: This study showed that the pattern of feeding the athletes seem to be in accordance with the paradigms required for a healthy body. Still, there was a decrease in fat mass in the middle of the sports season, reflecting the balance between energy demand and food standard.