Dietetic Student Involvement in a Sports Nutrition Education Program for University Athletes

Authors

Taylor Paeth, University of DaytonFollow
Diana Cuy Castellanos, University of DaytonFollow
Rebecca Gonter-Dray, University of DaytonFollow
Karyn Catrine, Premier HealthFollow

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of a sports nutrition counseling experiential learning opportunity on self-efficacy and nutrition counseling skills in the undergraduate dietetic students and dietary goal adherence in collegiate athlete clients after receiving the student-led nutrition counseling intervention. Methods: This mixed methods design, using a thematic analysis and pre- and post-testing, was implemented at a mid-sized university in the Midwestern United States. There were fifteen undergraduate dietetic students and nine collegiate athletes. Results: Counseling confidence in the dietetic students improved significantly from session one to session three (p < 0.001). Conclusions and Implications: Similar programs can be implemented in undergraduate dietetic programs within the academic setting to provide a valuable nutrition resource for collegiate athletes and experience for dietetic students. Examining the program with a larger population can allow for analysis of a causal relationship between the intervention and measured outcomes.

Author Bio(s)

Taylor Paeth, MDN is a registered dietitian and the food service director McLaren St. Lukes Hospital.

Diana Cuy Castellanos, PhD, RDN, LDN is an Associate Professor at the Unviersity of Dayton and coordinator of graduate research.

Rebecca Gonter-Dray, MS, RDN, LDN is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Dayton.

Karyn Catrine, MS, RDN, LDN is a registered dietitian and internship director at Premier Health.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements: I would like to thank the president of the Sports Nutrition and Wellness Club, Haley Stewart, for recruitment of dietetic students and university athletes. I would also like to thank the dietetic students and university athletes for participating in this intervention.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2022.2206

Recommended Citation

Paeth T, Cuy Castellanos D, Gonter-Dray R, Catrine K. Dietetic Student Involvement in a Sports Nutrition Education Program for University Athletes. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2022 Sep 26;20(4), Article 10.