Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Elite Young Taekwondo Athletes: A Cross-Sectional KAP Study

Early nutritional knowledge is crucial for trainers and competitors to improve performance and prevent negative experiences. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes among (Taekwondo) TKD cadets and juniors to capture early learning stages. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was designed with 85 elite Jordanian athletes. The tool sections were divided into four categories: hydration level, nutrient intake, meal practices, and supplement intake, along with their attitudes and practices toward nutrition. Among the participants, 57.6% were male, and 42.4% were female. Only 3.5% of the participants reported health problems during the study. A significant difference in knowledge scores was observed between male and female athletes (p value = 0.035), with an average total knowledge score of 5.36 out of 11. Additionally, more than half of the participants reported attempting to modify their weight categories before competitions. These findings underscore the necessity of tailored nutritional education programs to address the specific needs of young athletes, particularly in weight-sensitive sports such as TKD. Emphasizing early intervention and individualized strategies, this research highlights the importance of integrating comprehensive nutritional support into athletic training. These findings support the idea that the individual attributes of athletes should be considered when developing effective weight management and nutritional support strategies.