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Keywords

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Abstract

Context: Student-athletes are a subset of college students who face additional stressors related to the demands of their sport and academic workload. The food choices of student-athletes may be influenced by the unique food environment they are in. Further challenges may present for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) student-athletes as their institutions tend to be in low food access areas. We aimed to assess food security and explore the lived experiences of HBCU female student-athletes surrounding their food environment and ability to access food based on the five dimensions of food access: availability, accessibility, affordability, accommodation, and acceptability. Methods: This qualitative study used a semi-structured interview protocol derived from quantitative data to explore the lived experiences of 10 HBCU female athletes (age = 19 ± 1 years) living in on-campus dormitories. Participants answered the US Department of Agriculture Six-Item Short Form of the Food Security Survey Module as part of the interview. Participants were recruited after completing a quantitative study examining energy needs and availability. Interviews lasted approximately 30 minutes and were recorded and transcribed verbatim using virtual transcription services as part of a web-based conferencing platform. Data were analyzed by three coders using the consensual qualitative research tradition. Trustworthiness was established using member checking, multi-analyst triangulation, and external auditing. Results: Food security status varied across participants, resulting in an even split (50/50) between food security and food insecurity. Four domains emerged from the interviews: 1) on-campus living, 2) personal, 3) convenience, and 4) nutritional awareness. The participants shared available food sources on campus and within their community and the challenges of living in an on-campus dormitory with limited resources to make their meals, something they wished they could do more of. They discussed that while having various food sources, at times, it is not what they would like to eat; it may not look appealing to them, or they may perceive the food as unhealthy. Participants detailed timing conflicts as a challenge to fuel properly and rely on quick options such as frozen meals and snacks on the go to fuel during the day. Following the quantitative study, athletes reflected on their nutritional habits and detailed an understanding they do not fuel appropriately for the activities they engage in. Additionally, female athletes reported having some form of nutritional knowledge sources in the past, but these were typically informal conversations before their enrollment at their current institution. Conclusion: Although HBCU female student-athletes have options at school and in their community, our findings suggest they may require modifications based on timing and schedules to meet their needs. HBCU administrators, athletic trainers, and coaches should collaborate with the athletes to explore community resources and public benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and food banks, update antiquated dorm policies, and provide nutritional education resources specific to their needs.

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