Low Energy Availability and Dietary Factors in High School Runners Natalie Allik*; Kelly Pritchett, PhD; Michelle Barrack; PhD; Robert Pritchett , PhD Project Mentor(s): Kelly Pritchett Low energy availability (LEA) impairs physiological function and underlies Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), with adolescent athletes representing a vulnerable population. Carbohydrate (CHO) intake may contribute to LEA; however, this relationship remains underexplored in high school runners. Purpose: To examine the relationship between dietary factors and LEA in adolescent distance runners. Methods: Sixteen high school distance runners (15.7 ± 1.3 years; n = 6 males, n = 10 females) completed baseline assessments including anthropometrics, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and dietary intake via the Athlete Nutrition Screening Survey (ANSS). Energy availability (EA) was calculated, and participants were classified as LEA (clinical or subclinical) or adequate EA using established thresholds (< 30, 30–45, and > 45 kcal·kg⁻¹ FFM·day⁻¹). CHO intake was categorized as adequate (≥ 5 g/kg/day) or inadequate (<5 g/kg/day). Results : Athletes with LEA ( n = 6), compared to athletes with adequate EA ( n = 10), reported significantly lower EA (28.9 ± 4.7 vs. 64.2 ± 16.4 kcal·kg⁻¹ FFM·day⁻¹), EI (1651 ± 289 vs. 3319 ± 918 kcal/day), CHO (3.98 ± 0.45 vs. 8.32 ± 2.53 g/kg/day), protein (1.13 ± 0.39 vs. 2.31 ± 0.61 g/kg/day), fiber (16.8 ± 6.0 vs. 34.9 ± 11.1 g/day), and fat intake (46.19 ± 19.23 vs. 99.71 ± 30.30 g/day) (all p < .01 ). CHO intake was strongly correlated with EA ( r = .94, p < .001). All athletes with LEA consumed inadequate CHO intake, whereas 90% of athletes with adequate EA met CHO recommendations (Fisher’s exact p < .001 ). No differences were observed in lumbar spine BMD. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: low energy availability, carbohydrate intake, adolescent athletes, endurance sport, dietary intake SOURCE Form ID: 169 Association between Caffeine Consumption and Mental Health Grace Garth Green*; Katy Williams; Tafere Belay, PhD; Nicole Stendell-Hollis , PhD Project Mentor(s): Katy Williams, Nicole Stendell-Hollis, PhD Caffeine is a readily consumed substance in the United States and in the world. There are many forms of caffeine that have become popular over the years such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and soda products. This study aimed to determine how caffeine affects mental health (either negatively or positively). In this correlation study, a questionnaire was distributed to students aged 18 to 25 at Central Washington University (CWU) to determine if there was a correlation between mental health and caffeine consumption. Data was collected from 165 CWU students in the winter and spring quarters of the 2025 academic year. This study found that soda products, such as coca cola, had a negative impact on mental health specifically in females. Females were noted to have a higher percentage of moderate/high distress than males ( p = 0.01); and mental health was negatively impacted by the consumption of soda beverages ( p < 0.01). Further research is needed to determine the overall impact of other caffeine products on university students’ mental health. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–3:00pm) Keywords: Caffeine, Central Washington University, Mental Health, Soda SOURCE Form ID: 168
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