KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- More food and nutrition professionals are needed to monitor the athlete's optimal dietary intake pattern, said Special Adviser to the Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz.
He said this was important for the focus was no longer confine to elite athletes, instead all levels of athletes.
"Although we already have nutrition officers, they cater only for elite athletes.
"We need to instil a healthy dietary pattern to athletes at a young age as early between 10 and 12 years because we need to prepare the second echelon to take over from senior athletes in future," he told Bernama.
Dr Ramlan, who was former National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer, said when he started work as a medical officer at the institute in 1990, there was only one nutrition officer to keep watch on the athlete's dietary needs.
"Nutrition officers can help athletes maintain a well-balanced diet in order to compete at the high levels.
"They are equipped with knowledge and expertise on nutritional needs and diet, but in the areas of specialisation in certain sports, they must have in-depth knowledge to gain the athletes' trust," he said.
Asked whether national athletes consume balanced diet, Dr Ramlan said he doubted it due to lack of exposure that could enlighten them on the importance of adopting a healthy eating pattern.
"However, it is too late to enlighten them now. That is why I encourage young athletes to be given the exposure," he said, adding that young athletes should know what, how much and when to eat so that it would become second nature to them.
Meanwhile, NSI chief executive officer Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the athletes were equipped with essential knowledge on a balanced and healthy diet.
"Firstly, they must know the staple food that should be taken, and, secondly, the supplementary food according to the sports.
"By testing supplementary food for athlete needs, any deficiencies can be complemented by taking supplements every day. The supplements are given by nutrition officers based on advice from coaches," he said.
By Karina Imran -- BERNAMA
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