The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of 46 female olympic gymnastics athletes, aged 11 to 14 years old, attending private gymnastics clubs of the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The anthropometric assessment involved measurements of height, body mass, skinfold thickness and circumferences. Significant difference was observed for the triceps, suprailiac, mid thigh and medial calf skinfolds and for the percentage of body fat (p<0.05). For the assessment of dietary intake a 24-hour recall and a 3-day self-register were used. The energy consumption and the percentage of carbohydrates (50% to 58%) in the diet were low and the protein ingestion (1.5 to 1.7 g/kg of body weight) was appropriate, according to values proposed for athletes. Vitamin intake was satisfactory, except for folic acid of gymnasts from Rio de Janeiro. From the minerals assessed, the intake of calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron was inadequate. No clinical signs of iron deficiency were observed.
nutrition assessment; diet; iron; athletes; gymnasts
