In recent weeks Bond University’s new podcast “So Your Kid Wants To Play Sport” has presented a special series on nutrition practices for young, active people.
For young people, nutrition can be a minefield. Social media and discerning online fact from fiction, ‘aspirationalism’ and the power of influencers, peer pressure, and fluctuating self-esteem are a few of many issues that can make life tough.
Disordered eating affects mostly 19 to 25-year-olds. It carries significant health ramifications.
Leaving aside immediate impacts like fatigue, lethargy and reduced brain function, disordered eating is linked to diabetes, poor bone health, digestive problems, migraines, anaemia, menstrual problems, and even polycystic ovarian syndrome in young women.
YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE PODCASTS HERE AND HERE.
For active, athletic kids, pressure to 'make the weight' or to be 'lighter on your feet' or 'lean and mean' is constant.
It can lead to problematic nutrition practices.
Mitzi Adamson completed a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science earlier this year.
She recently started her Masters of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice at Bond University. She plays AFLW with the Bond University Bull Sharks.
In Part 1 of the Fuelling Future Champions? series, Adamson shares her personal nutrition story with Bond University Broadcast Manager Matt Webber.
Adamson said her relationship with food changed during the pandemic.
At first it was as simple as experimenting with dietary ‘ideas’ - going dairy-free, for instance.
Later, as she increased her cardio training load, she dropped carbohydrates from her diet to facilitate weight loss.
It went downhill from there.
“I was very structured with my eating, so I’d have my breakfast, lunch and dinner, not really snacking in between, and it just became really toxic.” Adamson says.
In Part 2, Matt speaks to Bond University Masters of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice graduate and practicing dietician Matt Hart about the best way to fuel a young athlete before, after and during performance.
“The important thing with nutrition is remembering context,” he says.
“What we need to understand is what does that context look like for these younger athletes that we’re working with?”
In an upcoming episode, Matt will speak to Bond University Associate Professor Greg Cox.
Assistant Professor Cox worked at the Australian Institute of Sport for 20 years as a Senior Sports Dietitian and Sports Science Medicine Manager. He’s supported athletes across several Olympic sports including Triathlon, Sprint and Slalom Canoe, Diving, Gymnastics and Water Polo.
He’s also attended multiple Summer Olympic Games, and in 2016 was the Nutrition Lead for the Australian Olympic Team at the Rio Olympic Games.
This story and the podcasts described in it discuss disordered nutrition and eating disorders. If you need support with eating disorders or body image concerns please contact the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 or email support@butterflyfoundation.org.au.
If you require urgent support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.