Comparison of the Energy and Macronutrient Intakes in Female Aerobic Athletes in Two Different Social- Economic Areas in Isfahan in 2009

The purpose of this study was to assess the energy and nutritional intakes of female aerobic athletes in two different social - economic classes. The subjects were 99 female aerobic athletes aged between 15 to 50 years old. The dietary and energy intakes were based on 2 day 24 hours food recall. The demographic details were assessed by anthropometric measurements including height, weight and waste line using a measuring tape and a scale. The collected data were analyzed using the Nutritionist IV and SPSS 18. The energy intake was 1479.19 ±561.86 kcal in the high social - economic class and 1300.68 ±498.354 kcal in the low social - economic class. There was no significant difference between the two areas. (P=0.98) The mean protein intake in the low social- economic class was 17.41%±5.85 and in the high social - economic class 54.48±%6.62.There was no significant difference between the two areas. (P=0/606) The Mean intake of carbohydrate was 61.85%±9.76 in the low social - economic class and 54.48%±6.62 in the high social - economic class that means the carbohydrate intake in the low social - economic class was significantly higher than the high social- economic class. (P<0/001) The mean intake of the fat was 23.88%± 8.24 in the low social - economic class and 30.07%±6.68 in the high social - economic class that means the fat intake in the high social - economic class was significantly higher than the low social - economic class. (P<0/001) The findings of this study indicated that the intake of dietary fat and carbohydrate was significantly different in the two areas. This could be as a result of different food patterns in the two areas.