Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Gong, Yidong

Area of Concentration

Social Sciences, Health Culture and Societies

Abstract

Past research shows that what college athletes eat is influenced by more than just nutritional science. Food choices are shaped by performance expectations, team culture, and the institutional environments athletes are part of every day. Many athletes prioritize eating in ways that support energy, recovery, and performance, but they also rely on convenience, taste, and routine. While access to sports dietitians has been shown to improve eating habits and recovery, coaches often remain the main source of nutrition guidance. This means that team culture and coaching expectations play a major role in how, and whether, athletes follow formal nutrition advice. Athletes’ eating behaviors are also shaped by social and appearance-based pressures. Research shows that athletes frequently compare their bodies to teammates and sport-specific ideals, often linking body size or appearance to performance and personal value. Pressure from coaches or peers to look a certain way can lead to food restriction, guilt around eating, and higher risks of disordered eating, especially in sports that emphasize leanness. At the same time, many college athletes still rely on peers or the internet for nutrition information, even when institutional resources are available. This study explores how the pressure to prioritize athletic performance over personal health shapes college athletes’ eating behaviors, and how university athletic programs, including sports dietitians, nutrition policies, and coaching practices, regulate athletes’ diets in ways that affect both performance and overall well-being.

Rights

The author has granted New College of Florida the nonexclusive right to archive, make accessible, and distribute for educational purposes this work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The copyright of this work remains with the author.

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