Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Kevin Latz, MD
Start Date
15-5-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
15-5-2025 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background: The prevalence of food insecurity among children in the United States is estimated at 21%. Food insecurity during childhood leads to worse school performance, more emotional and behavioral health concerns, and increased suicide attempts. Further, food insecurity has been noted to have multiple deleterious effects on the collegiate student athlete, including lower GPA, disordered eating, and substance use.
Hypothesis: Food insecurity is prevalent in the adolescent athlete population and exists across demographics.
Methods: Voluntary surveys were distributed to parents at all sports medicine clinics at our institution. Demographic data was collected including athlete age, race, school and school district, sport, and number of household members. Food insecurity was assessed using the Hunger Vital Sign, a two-question validated screening tool endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The responses to the food insecurity screening were categorized and classified by race, age, and private or public school. Included patients were athletes aged 10-17, with organized sport participation in the last 12 months.
Results: Responses were obtained from 108 families. The mean age of the athletes was 14.1 years and 64 athletes (59%) were male. Of families surveyed, 69 (64%) were white, 19 (18%) were Black or African American, 8 (7%) were Hispanic, 2 (2%) were Asian, and 1 (1%) identified as a Pacific Islander. 6 (6%) athletes identified as multiracial. Public school students comprised the vast majority (90.1%) of respondents. Food insecurity was identified in 31 (21%) of athletes. There was significantly less (p=0.04) food insecurity in the survey population than the community’s prevalence of 31%. The prevalence of food insecurity was highest in track athletes (36%) when compared to basketball players (15%), though these differences were not considered statistically significant. 8 (7%) of students attended private schools or were homeschooled, none of them experienced food insecurity.
Conclusions: Though the prevalence of food insecurity is less among the survey population when compared to the community, it does exist within the adolescent athlete population and is present across races and genders. It is of paramount importance to identify ways to support families in ensuring adequate nutrition for their student-athlete.
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Food Insecurity in Adolescent Athletes
Background: The prevalence of food insecurity among children in the United States is estimated at 21%. Food insecurity during childhood leads to worse school performance, more emotional and behavioral health concerns, and increased suicide attempts. Further, food insecurity has been noted to have multiple deleterious effects on the collegiate student athlete, including lower GPA, disordered eating, and substance use.
Hypothesis: Food insecurity is prevalent in the adolescent athlete population and exists across demographics.
Methods: Voluntary surveys were distributed to parents at all sports medicine clinics at our institution. Demographic data was collected including athlete age, race, school and school district, sport, and number of household members. Food insecurity was assessed using the Hunger Vital Sign, a two-question validated screening tool endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The responses to the food insecurity screening were categorized and classified by race, age, and private or public school. Included patients were athletes aged 10-17, with organized sport participation in the last 12 months.
Results: Responses were obtained from 108 families. The mean age of the athletes was 14.1 years and 64 athletes (59%) were male. Of families surveyed, 69 (64%) were white, 19 (18%) were Black or African American, 8 (7%) were Hispanic, 2 (2%) were Asian, and 1 (1%) identified as a Pacific Islander. 6 (6%) athletes identified as multiracial. Public school students comprised the vast majority (90.1%) of respondents. Food insecurity was identified in 31 (21%) of athletes. There was significantly less (p=0.04) food insecurity in the survey population than the community’s prevalence of 31%. The prevalence of food insecurity was highest in track athletes (36%) when compared to basketball players (15%), though these differences were not considered statistically significant. 8 (7%) of students attended private schools or were homeschooled, none of them experienced food insecurity.
Conclusions: Though the prevalence of food insecurity is less among the survey population when compared to the community, it does exist within the adolescent athlete population and is present across races and genders. It is of paramount importance to identify ways to support families in ensuring adequate nutrition for their student-athlete.
