The Impact of Food Security Status on Body Composition Changes in Collegiate Football Players

Background: Food insecurity negatively affects nutrition intake and diet quality, and college students specifically experience food insecurity in greater proportions than the general adult population. However, the prevalence and effects of food security among Division 1 college football athletes is unknown. Aim: This study investigates the relationship between food security and body composition changes in Division 1 football players during off-season training. Methods: This study was conducted as a secondary analysis of routine data collected from football players in a southeastern collegiate athletic department. Body composition was measured before and after a typical off-season training program on campus. Athletes completed the USDA adult food security 10-item survey following the second body composition measurement. Differences in the rate of change in body composition by food security status over the training period were calculated using ANCOVA. Additionally, we assessed the prevalence of food security across racial groups. Results: Sixty-three percent of surveyed athletes (n = 85) reported some degree of food insecurity. Food insecurity was more prevalent among Black athletes. Food insecurity was not associated with changes in body weight, body fat percent, muscle mass, or BMI among athletes during an off-season training period. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that levels of food insecurity were not associated with body composition changes during off-season training in collegiate football players. Supplemental food assistance and athletes’ interaction with the on-staff Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) may have reduced the prevalence of food insecurity, as athletes who communicate with a RDN regularly may make healthier dietary choices. However, survey results suggest that food insecurity is prevalent in collegiate athletics, with higher prevalence among Black athletes than other races, but more research is needed to evaluate the effect of food security on body composition changes.