Association of Competitive Adolescent Athletes from Lean and Non-Lean Sports Physical, Social and Psychological Characteristics with Adherence to Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean diet (MD) is regarded as one of the healthier dietary patterns which is recommended for athletes. This study aims to investigate the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) and associated beliefs in a large, diverse sample of competitive adolescent athletes from various sports, including both lean and non-lean sports. Additionally, the study examines factors important regarding intention to AMD within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In the study took part 711 adolescents (357 male, aged = 14.93 +/- 1.38, and 354 female, aged = 14.85 +/- 1.35) athletes. The level of AMD was not a significant different between lean (mean = 4.98, SD = +/- 3.90) and non-lean (mean = 4.77, SD = +/- 3.68) sport. According to the sport type the 35% of lean sport athletes demonstrated low AMD, 34.1% moderate adherence and 30.9% a high degree. The non lean athletes demonstrated low AMD in 36.3%, moderate adherence 33% and high degree in 30.7%. The results of the mediation analysis indicated a significant mediation effect of intention in the relationship between TPB variables and MD. Based on the results of the study the type of sport does not play a role in the AMD, which, as in the general population, is low. Also validate the TPB and underscore the significance of targeting individuals' intentions to promote positive dietary behaviors.