Parental Nutrition Education on the Performance and Body Composition of Young Basketball Players

This study investigates the impact of a structured, short-term parental nutrition education program on the body composition, athletic performance, and dietary habits of young basketball players aged 8-13 years. Adolescence represents a critical window for physical growth and athletic development, yet many young athletes fail to meet nutritional recommendations. Given that parents are the primary food providers and decision-makers for children in this age group, their nutritional literacy is hypothesized to directly influence the athlete's diet and physical development. The intervention consists of a 4-week nutrition education program provided to parents. The study utilizes a single-group pre-post design to evaluate changes in the athletes' Lean Body Mass (LBM), body fat percentage, athletic performance (encompassing vertical jump, sprint speed, and flexibility), and daily macronutrient intake (protein and carbohydrate) from baseline to post-intervention.