Building better habits, together

Process:

1. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program educators will instruct adolescent female athletes from Blair High School. This will be done through four monthly 1.5-hour in-person lessons, supplemented with interactive online materials and forums. There are 12 weeks in the program, which will include twelve 15-minute lessons designed for athletes to access between the in-person sessions.

2. Program educators will create and provide 1 visual handout each week to be sent home, summarizing the lesson content and providing actionable tips for parents/caregivers to support their athletes’ nutrition. Weekly emails will be sent to parents and caregivers with information on the connection between nutrition, athletic performance, and long-term health outcomes, including meal timing, hydration, and recovery strategies.

3. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program will host 3 virtual webinar sessions in workshop format over the course of the 12-week program. Athletes and their parents/caregivers will participate in activities that focus on meal planning, shopping for balanced meals, and hydration strategies to optimize performance.

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Impact:

1. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program will increase awareness of performance-enhancing nutrition by teaching athletes and caregivers about nutrient timing, macronutrient balance, and hydration strategies.

2. The program will educate participants on the role of proper nutrition in preventing injuries, enhancing recovery, and sustaining energy for both academics and athletics.

3. The program will provide strategies to establish healthy meal routines and hydration habits, creating a supportive home environment that aligns with athletic goals.

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Outcome:

1. Educators will assess baseline nutrition knowledge at the beginning of the 12-week program using a pre-program questionnaire. An end-of-program evaluation will determine improvements in nutritional knowledge and self-reported behavior changes.

2. The NextGen Athlete Nutrition Program aims to reduce the prevalence of energy deficits and suboptimal hydration practices among female athletes, improving their physical and cognitive performance.

3. The program seeks to improve athletes’ overall health by fostering long-term dietary habits that reduce the risk of injury and promote recovery, enabling sustained participation in athletic and academic pursuits.