Impact of sports nutrition education on awareness and knowledge among physical education majors and workers

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the current status and perceptions of nutrition education among sports majors and workers in Korea to provide information that can be utilized in educational curriculums of universities and other external institutions for sports nutrition education.

Methods: This study included Korean adults aged over 19 years who majored in physical education at a university. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding demographic characteristics (10 questions), nutritional awareness (20 questions), and the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ, 88 questions). This survey was conducted entirely online using simple random sampling, and 706 responses were included in the final data analysis. An independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were conducted to confirm group differences. Post hoc pairwise comparisons with a Tukey adjustment were conducted. The statistical significance level for all data was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Approximately 42% of the participants completed nutrition classes at the university and 19.4% at other institutions. The assessment of their nutritional knowledge level was 3.06 ± 1.08 points (p < 0.001) on a 5-point Likert scale, with participants who had completed nutrition classes scoring higher (p < 0.001).The GNKQ also found that participants who received nutrition classes scored higher in all sections, including the total scores (total score, p = 0.011; one section, p = 0.030; three sections, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Nutrition is a crucial aspect that cannot be excluded from physical education. Therefore, government and university institutions must increase lecture hours and hands-on opportunities by incorporating diverse educational curricula in physical education-related departments. This approach will help create a safer and more systematic sports environment and positively impact healthcare policies.