Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42569177›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in nutrition2026

Evaluation of food consumption, energy availability and adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern in a group of non-professional athletes.

Ellis Bianchi, Massimiliano Tucci, Simone Perna, Daniela Martini, Cristian Del Bo', Alessandro Leone, Francesca Menichetti, Simona Bertoli, Alberto Battezzati, Patrizia Riso

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ellis BianchiDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Massimiliano TucciDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Simone PernaDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Daniela MartiniDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Cristian Del Bo'Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Alessandro LeoneDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Francesca MenichettiDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Simona BertoliDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Alberto BattezzatiDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Patrizia RisoDivision of Human Nutrition, Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DeFENS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and aim: Adequate nutritional intake is fundamental for optimizing athletic performance and maintaining health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the dietary habits of a group of non-professional athletes, assessing their capacity to cover energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient requirements, as well as their adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Methods: Sixty-seven participants completed a 7-day food diary to assess nutrient intake and food group consumption. Anthropometric measurements were performed to estimate body composition and Energy Availability (EA). To ensure data accuracy, misreporting was assessed, and only 45 participants classified as "adequate energy reporters" were included in the final analysis. Results: The mean EA was 33.3 ± 7.0 kcal/kg fat-free mass (FFM), which, while above the threshold for physiological disruption, remains below the optimal level of 45 kcal/kg FFM. In terms of macronutrients, carbohydrate intake (4.7 ± 0.9 g/kg body weight) showed a tendency to not meet the recommended threshold for moderate physical activity (5-8 g/kg). Regarding adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, the mean adherence score was 9.7 ± 2.5, suggesting a generally good adherence; however, food groups consumption analysis revealed a lower than recommended intake of fruits, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil, while of the consumption of red meat and bakery products such as bread substitutes and sweet baked products, frequently exceeded amounts suggested in the guidelines. This suboptimal diet quality was coupled with insufficient intake of key micronutrients such as vitamin E, folate, magnesium, and potassium. Discussion: These findings highlight a gap between actual nutritional intake and national dietary reference values in non-professional athletes. The results emphasize the need for targeted nutritional education to address misconceptions about energy and carbohydrate consumption and to prevent potential health risks associated with low energy availability and inadequate diet quality.

Indexed as

dietary assessmentenergy intakefood consumption assessmentMediterranean dietnon-professional athletessport nutrition

Identifiers

PMID42569177
PMCPMC13449304

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.