What Parents Do Know
On the bright side, the survey found that:
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85% of parents knew that an active child participating in sports requires does not require more vitamins than a child not involved in sports. "The majority of kids can get adequate vitamins through their daily diet, although as an insurance policy, parents can give their kids a daily vitamin supplement that meets 100% of recommended levels," says Dr. Steen.
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More than 50% of parents surveyed also recognized an ideal example of a pre-game meal was one high in carbohydrates, with more than 55 percent of parents selecting spaghetti with tomato sauce and bread as an appropriate pre-game meal. According to Dr. Steen, other pre-game meal pointers include making sure your kids have the right fluids to stay hydrated such as low-fat milk, water, fruit juice or a sports drink. For some examples of high carbohydrate meals, click here.
Cause For Concern
According to survey consultant and MomsTeam.com expert, Suzanne Nelson, D.Sc., R.D., the results of the survey confirm what she's seen first-hand for years. The results are cause for concern, given more than 30 million children and adolescents participate in organized sports in the United States each year, according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. Moreover, nearly half the parents surveyed indicated their kids are participating in organized sports, including games and practices, more than five hours per week. "Many parents and coaches are misinformed when it comes the best foods and fluids for their young athletes," said Dr. Steen. With all the conflicting nutrition information out there, parents are having a hard time separating fact from fiction and there's a huge need to get the right information out.
