Nutr-e-Screen

Digitalization and standardization of nutritional support for early identification of nutrition-related health and performance risks athletes, especially in female athletes
The Nutr-e-Screen research project aims to systematically record nutrition-related health risks in German elite and youth elite athletes and to improve the nutritional support of athletes through the digitalization and standardization of evidence based methods of nutritional assessment.

To date, diet related health risks, such as REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports) or eating disorders, are not systematically detected. Indeed, nutritional assessment varies greatly depending on the sports association or its location. However, international organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recommend a standardized recording of nutrition-related health parameters, as the prevalence of nutrition-related health issues is high particularly among female athletes. For Germany, both reliable prevalence data and detailed information on specific risk constellations are still lacking.

Aims of the project are therefore,
(1) to digitize existing, scientifically validated, but so far analogue instruments for nutritional support in competitive sports and to make them available to players in sports in a standardized way,
(2) validate the digitized instruments based on selected criteria and additionally evaluate them through a feasibility analysis, and
(3) to evaluate the data collected from the athletes participating in the project in a standardized manner and to differentiate by gender and type of sport in order to identify nutrition-related health risks.

The project is divided into two study arms:
1.    Digitalization and evaluation of a screening for nutrition-related health and performance risks (HAW Hamburg): A validated screening questionnaire to record nutrition-related health risks will be digitalized and used in several cooperating sports medicine facilities. The data will be collected over a period of 5-8 months to enable a gender- and sport-specific analysis of prevalences and risk constellations.
2.    Development and validation of an estimation protocol for recording food, energy and nutrient intake (Leipzig University): The validity and applicability of a three-day estimation protocol for recording nutrient intake, analog and digital, will be examined. In addition, the validity of common activity trackers for estimating daily energy consumption is being tested.

The project involves around 250 athletes from various sports, with a particular focus on a gender-differentiated evaluation. Around two thirds of the participants are to be female athletes in order to identify specific risk factors, particularly in groups that have been little studied to date. The centralized data analysis will take place at HAW Hamburg.

In addition, qualitative interviews will be conducted with nutritionists and sports physicians in order to evaluate the practicality and applicability of the digital screening tools and identify any necessary adjustments.

This project was funded by the Federal Institute for Sports Science on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag (reference number: 070108/24-25).

Project Team:

• Tim Hänisch
• Alicia Kaleta
• Fiona Erkens
• Janina Mai

Project Website: https://www.bisp-surf.de/Record/PR020240300077

Further Information: Flyer Nutr-e-Screen (pdf, German)