A Qualitative Examination Of Food Choice Among Division III Student Athletes Using Grounded Theory

PURPOSE: Many National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student athletes do not meet recommended sports nutrition guidelines, and there are a wide range of factors influencing players’ ability to meet their nutritional goals. The determinants of food choice among the general population have been extensively investigated, but studies of food choice in collegiate student athletes are limited. Understanding the influences of food choices in this population can enable and support optimal eating behavior, while also helping to ensure that eating behavior translates into practice. This study aimed to improve the theoretical understanding of athletes’ determinants of food choice to help enable more effective eating behavior while protecting their overall health. METHODS: Division III college athletes (48% (n = 10) male and 52% (n = 11) female) from a variety of sports were recruited to participate in semi structured interviews concerning food choices and eating behavior cognitions. This study employed a theory-guided, grounded-theory approach, and open-ended interviews were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The athletes' words were used to label and describe their interactions and experiences with the food choice process. RESULTS: A theoretical framework of factors determining food choice in DIII student athletes was developed and consists of four dominant themes including individual factors (intrapersonal), athletic factors, social factors (interpersonal), and contextual factors (environmental). Additionally, a theoretical framework of barriers and enablers of student athlete food choice was also seen including the internal factors: Sport Nutrition Knowledge, Emotional/Psychological, Health Beliefs, and external factors: DIII Collegiate Environment, Facilities and Options for Healthy Food, and Sports Scheduling. CONCLUSIONS: When student athletes enter the collegiate sports environment, they must be aware of the challenges to make healthy food choices. From the theoretical frameworks of this study, practitioners and sports nutrition researchers have a better understanding of how DIII college student athletes make food choices. These results can serve as a tangible baseline for conversations with the NCAA for the provision of student athlete nutrition services.