| dc.description.abstract | The Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994 made
safety and efficacy testing of dietary supplements the responsibility of the consumer.
Currently, there exists little data on safety and efficacy of supplements, and there is
virtually no data regarding safety and efficacy of supplements in individuals under the
age of 18 years. Sales indices suggest sports supplement consumption continues to
increase among young athletes, and research indicates young athletes have become the
key target for marketing. Additionally, pressures to achieve greater athletic performance
or an ideal body image are strong motivators for young athletes. These factors create an
environment in which adolescents are likely to consume dangerous sports supplements
without being aware of risks associated with supplements. This study was conducted as
an attempt to understand factors that motivate young athletes to consume sports
supplements. The sample for this study consisted of 207 female collegiate athletes participating
in basketball, soccer, cross country, volleyball, and swimming during the 2005-2006
NCAA season. A survey instrument containing four scales measured participants'€™
behavioral intention, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control
regarding the consumption of sports supplements. Behavioral intention, attitude,
subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are Theory of Planned Behavior
(TPB) components that, in theory, measure an individual's internal motivations for
performance of a behavior. The dependent variable was defined as the intention to
consume sports supplements (Behavioral Intention), and attitude, subjective norms and
perceived behavioral control were predictor variables.
Findings from this study revealed a poor fit for the TPB measurement model.
However, the components of the TPB were able to explain 61% of variance in
behavioral intention. Additionally, subjective norms were the strongest predictor and
perceived behavioral control the weakest. Furthermore, the average female collegiate
athlete did not regularly consume sports supplements. Participants claiming to use
sports supplements regularly indicated weight loss and gain, fat loss and looking better
as primary motivations for consumption. Results indicated the TPB was able to explain
a considerable amount of variance in intention to consume sports supplements with body
image concerns being primary motivators. | en |
