Examining Food Choice Determinants in NCAA Division III Athlete Participants Representing Multiple Sports

Objective: To examine determinants of food choice among NCAA Division III athletes using the Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire (AFCQ), focusing on gender, sport type, and seasonal status. Participants: 72 NCAA Division III athletes from 13 sports at a private northeastern university participated in an online survey during Fall 2024. Methods: Participants completed the 32-item AFCQ assessing nine food choice factors. Independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlations were used to compare factor scores by gender, sport type, seasonal status, and team success. Results: Performance, Sensory Appeal, and Food Values and Beliefs emerged as the most influential factors in food choice, while Weight Control was least influential. Female athletes reported significantly higher scores for Emotional Influences, Usual Eating practices, Sensory Appeal, and Food Values and Beliefs compared to males. Male individual sport athletes reported higher scores in Nutritional Attributes, Food Health Awareness, and Weight Control compared to team sport athletes. Conclusions: The findings highlight notable differences in food choice determinants based on gender and sport context. The AFCQ proves to be a valuable tool in collegiate settings, emphasizing the need for nutrition education strategies tailored to the unique motivational and environmental factors influencing athlete eating behaviors.