I was looking for some science studies focusing on skaters' eating habits, sufficient energy intake and macronutrients / micronutrients intake. I indeed found few studies. They were all done in USA many years ago.
You may take a look:
1.
Although the measured indices of nutritional status were normal, adolescent athletes have higher energy needs than does the general population. Depending on energy expenditure levels, energy and nutrition intakes in the low normal range may put some athletes at risk for undernutrition.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- scientific study from 1998 -
EATING ATTITUDE AND ENERGY INTAKES OF FEMALE SKATERS
- 21 competitive female figure skaters
- 11-16 years of age, mean weight 50,3kg, mean BMI 19.9 kg/m2, mean body fat 19.9%, mean energy intake 1781kcal/day
- "...Body weights and estimated energy intakes were all within normal range for this age group. Higher EAT scores were associated with lower micronutrient, but not lower energy intakes. Menstrual status and iron status were normal."
2.
This study assessed the nutrient intake, body composition and biochemical indices of National Figure Skating Championship competitors. Four-day diet records, fasting blood samples, and anthropometric measurements were obtained 2 months after the National Championships from 41 figure skaters...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- science article from 1999 -
NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS OF U.S. NATIONAL FIGURE SKATERS
- 41 figure skaters (National Figure Skating Championship competitors) -
- from 11 to 18 years of age
- "...the athletes had: lower intakes of vitamin E and B12, the mean intakes of magnesium, zinc, and iodine by the male skaters were below the recommended levels, as were the mean intakes of calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by the female skaters.
- ...vegetable, fruit, dairy, and meat groups were below the recommended levels
- ...plasma electrolyte concentrations were indicative of potential dehydration status
- The results suggest there is a need to develop dietary intervention and educational programs targeted at promoting optimal nutrient and fluid intakes by these athletes to maintain performance and improve long-term health status."
3.
- science article from 2001 -
DIETARY INTAKE OF ELITE FIGURE SKATING DANCERS
- 7 females and 7 males (US National Figure Skating Dance Team)
- from 20–26 years for males and from 17–24 years for females
- male dancers had a height range from 173–188 cm, weight range from 67–77 kg
- two out of the seven female dancers (29%) reported irregular menstrual cycles, i.e., no menstrual cycles in the past six months
- female dancers energy intake (1416 kcal/d, 339 kjoules/day)
- male dancers energy intake (2837 kcal/d, 679 kjoules/day)
- "...total energy intake of female dancers (1416 kcal/d) was considerably lower than the dietary recommendations... male dancers appeared to have adequate energy intake (2837 kcal/d)
- ...carbohydrate intake of both male and female dancers was below the recommendations, 44% and 51%, respectively, whereas total fat and protein intake of both male and female dancers were higher than the dietary recommendations
- ...folate and zinc intake of the female dancers were 68% and 62% of the recommended values
- The results of the present study suggest that these elite figure skating dancers, especially females, may not be consuming adequate amounts of energy-yielding nutrients and those that influence bone health. Future studies are needed to examine the effects of nutritional status on performance of these figure skating dancers and to develop strategies to improve the nutritional status of these elite dancers."
4.
High consumption of sugars and fat by elite athletes was not associated with overweight or excess body fat. Although recommended diets are usually built around complex carbohydrates, dietetics professionals can address the increased energy needs of elite athletes by recommending energy-dense...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- science article from 2001 -
ENERGY AND MACRONUTRIENT INTAKES OF ELITE FIGURE SKATERS
- 81 females and 80 male figure skaters (participants of training camps in Colorado between 1988 and 1995),
- mean age of 16 years for females and 18 years for males
- female energy intake - 1,545 kcal/day
- men energy intakes - 2,329 kcal/day
- "...Energy intakes were below recommended values for sex and age
- Applications: High consumption of sugars and fat by elite athletes was not associated with overweight or excess body fat. ...Sugars and fats are efficient sources of energy per unit volume."
5.
- science article from 2002 -
NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF TEENAGE FEMALE COMPETITIVE FIGURE SKATERS
- 18 female competitive figure skaters
- age range from 14 to 16 years
- energy intake over the 3 seasons: (mean preseason: 1,678 kcal/day; competitive season, 1,630 kcal/day; off-season: 1,673 kcal/ day)
- "Results: ...the skaters had intakes less than 67% of RDA (reccommended dietary allowance) for folate, iron, and calcium ...
- Conclusions: The results indicate that teenage female skaters have relatively low energy intake and inadequate intakes of certain nutrients, which may account for some of the observed seasonal variations in blood markers of nutritional status. These findings point to the need for nutrition education for these athletes, especially during their competitive season when nutritional status may be compromised."
6.
- science article from 2002 -
CONTRIBUTION OF MEALS AND SNACKS TO NUTRIENT INTAKE OF MALE AND FEMALE ELITE FIGURE SKATERS DURING PEAK COMPETITIVE SEASON
- 46 male and 48 female figure skaters (participants of 1999 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships)
- "Conclusions: These elite figure skaters appear to be starting their day with low energy reserves and therefore need to be educated about the benefits of consuming breakfast. These athletes also need to be educated about consuming adequate calories throughout the day in order to meet the energy needs of their activity. It is thus important to monitor eating patterns throughout the day to ensure adequate energy intake to sustain the physical and mental aspects of the athletes’ training and performance."
7.
Although these highly active young women compete in a sport that prizes leanness, they had appropriate weights. The athletes reported dietary intakes that were far below estimated energy needs and were at moderate risk of disordered eating. Anticipatory guidance is warranted to improve their...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- science article from 2012 -
EATING ATTITUDES AND FOOD INTAKES OF ELITE ADOLESCENT FEMALE FIGURE SKATERS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
- 36 elite competitive adolescent female figure skaters (participating in a nation training camp)
- mean age 16 ± 2.5 SD years
- mean body mass index (BMI) was 19.8 ± 2.1 SD
- mean height 158.6 ± 5.8 SD (cm)
- mean weight was 48.5 ± 6.6kg SD (kg)
- mean energy intake (EI) was 1491 ± 471 kcal/day (range 566–2654 kcal/day)
- "...reported dietary intakes were high in carbohydrates but low in total energy, fat, and bone-building nutrients
- Conclusions: ...The athletes reported dietary intakes that were far below estimated energy needs and were at moderate risk of disordered eating. Anticipatory guidance is warranted to improve their dietary intakes, particularly of bone-building nutrients."
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It is great that specialists and figure skaters found time for research.
More science studies suggest that education and guidance for skaters is recommended, more studies mentiones too low energy intake as well as micronutrients intake per day.
Some new science studies would ve definitely a good idea.