A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicated that teens who are involved in athletic programs have healthier eating habits than those who are not involved in sport. The findings indicated that both the athletic boys and girls were more likely to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, not skipping meals and making healthier choices than their peers, though many of the girls still did not meet their nutritional requirements for calcium and iron.
The study was conducted by the Eating Disorders institute in Minnesota and, surprisingly, concluded that students in weight-based sports, such as wresting and gymnastics, had even better eating habits than other athletes. Researchers dismissed concerns that these pressures often lead to eating disorders, saying "it may be that youth involved in sports at a less elite level of athletics, such as the junior high and high school levels, are able to maintain better nutrient profiles than athletes involved at an elite level."
Doubtless, the eating habits of students who are on sports teams is much more likely to be monitored by coaches and nutritionists than the average teen, a factor that would influence their eating habits significantly. It seems short-sighted to conclude that fact the weight-oriented sports have a much stronger impact on teens' eating habits is a good thing. "Better able to maintain nutrient profiles" sounds like a way of saying that they don't have eating disorders - yet. It's great that these kids have healthier eating habits and a greater awareness of their food, but healthy eating isn't about the moment as much as it is about the future. And if in the future the "elite" players have problems, it would be safer to say that the kids who play sports regularly, but more recreationally, do better over all.
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