The purpose of this study was to examine weight loss methods and to determine if seasonal differences existed in energy and nutrient intakes, supplement use and eating behaviors of high school wrestlers. Weight loss history, food and activity records, supplement use and knowledge and bulimic behavior data were collected from twenty wrestlers during the 1998-99 wrestling season and from eleven wrestlers 3 months post wrestling season.This study found that wrestlers practiced extreme weight control behaviors including fasting, food and fluid restriction resulting in inadequate nutrient intakes. No significant seasonal differences were found in energy balance, nutrient intake or supplement use for this study group. There was a significant difference in bulimic behavior post season as compared to peak season, though no wrestler approached the cutoff score for clinical diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.Given the negative effects of extreme weight loss practices and inadequate nutrient intake on performance, nutrition education remains crucial for high school wrestlers. Further research using instruments to measure restrictive behaviors (as was practiced by subjects in this study) would be beneficial. Additionally future studies are needed to continually assess this population of athletes to gauge if changes in extreme behaviors are occurring. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the seasonal change in the nutritional protein status of adolescent wrestlers who lost weight for competition. Additionally, this study determined if changes in plasma proteins and amino acids could be prevented through nutritional education and dietary supplementation. Twenty-seven adolescent wrestlers (14.8-18.1 yr) were divided into two groups for study during a three month period. One group received a nutritional education and supplement program, the other group served as a control. Height, weight, percent body fat, and free fat weight were measured during wrestling season. Venous blood samples were drawn and analyzed for essential (E) and nonessential (NE) plasma amino acids, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), retinol-binding protein (RBP), prealbumin (PA), albumin (AL), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Four, 4-day dietary records taken during the season were analyzed for protein, carbohydrate, fat, and total calories. The results demonstrated that weight, percent body fat, and fat free weight decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.001), with no significant differences between treatment and control groups. The blood RBP and PA decreased significantly during the experimental period (p<0.01), whereas AL didNot change. Most of the amino acids did not show significant decreases during the experimental period whereas the total essential amino acids showed a decreasing trend (p<0.05), the total nonessential amino acids did not change. The subjects' average caloric intake showed significant decreases during the experimental period (p<0.001). The wrestlers failed to meet the RDA for energy and protein intake. It was concluded that nutritional status of adolescent wrestlers appears to be diminished as a result of weight loss during the season. / Human Performance Laboratory