Assessment of dietary habits, nutritional profile and behavioral practices of district level Badminton player

Abstract

The study seeks to assess the dietary habits, nutritional profile, and behavioural practices of district-level badminton players in Gurugram city. The research was conducted on a total of 163 sports personnel, both male and female, selected based on their participation level as district-level badminton players enrolled in a professional badminton academy in Gurugram city. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, such as BMI, skin folds, and body fat percentage, were recorded. The data collected showed that out of 163 participants, about 77 reported frequent intake of sports drinks before competition matches in tournaments. Additionally, the majority (52%) of participants confirmed regular consumption of commercial nutritional supplements along with their diets. Most participants stated that they followed the diet recommended by their coaches. The findings also indicated that most participants met 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for all three macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—while poor intake was observed for iron and vitamin A. A negative correlation (r = -0.395) was found between BMI and winning ratio, indicating that an increase in BMI resulted in a lower winning ratio in tournaments. Similarly, correlation data for fat mass percentage and winning ratio reflected a significant negative correlation (r = -0.551), suggesting that a higher total fat mass percentage negatively impacted the participants' performance, leading to a lower winning ratio.