Use and rationale for taking nutritional supplements among collegiate athletes at risk for nutrient deficiencies

•41% of athletes took nutritional supplements, with calcium the most consumed supplement.•Athletes cited health as the most common reason for taking nutritional supplements.•Doctors, athletic trainers, and registered dietitians most influenced athletes about dosage, safety and effectiveness information.•A higher percentage of athletes at risk for nutrient deficiencies took nutritional supplements than those not at-risk.•Fear of positive drug tests discouraged athletes at risk for nutrient deficiencies from taking nutritional supplements.

This study examined aspects of collegiate athletes’ eating habits, weight, and their use and perception of nutritional supplements. The purpose of this study was to determine if athletes at risk for nutrient deficiencies use nutritional supplements, and if their concerns about positive drug tests discouraged their use of nutritional supplements. This study examined 134 athletes from collegiate universities across the United States. They answered a questionnaire, developed by the researchers through Psychdata. From the athletes’ responses to questions about their eating habits, the study categorized participants into two groups: athletes at risk for nutrient deficiencies and athletes not at risk for nutrient deficiencies.In this study, 49 athletes were considered at risk for nutrient deficiencies. More at-risk athletes (53%) took nutritional supplements than those not at risk (33%). Among those at risk, more athletes (69%) took supplements who were not concerned about nutritional supplements causing a positive drug test, than those athletes who were concerned (38%). Athletes need education about reliable sources of information about supplements, dosing of supplements, and safety of supplements. Athletes also need to be informed of the potential consequences of taking unsafe supplements.