A Comparative Study of Nutritional Practices, Nutritional Awareness, and Barriers Among Male and Female Boxers of Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Context: Nutrition plays an important role in athletic performance, recovery, and overall health, particularly in combat sports like boxing. This study aimed to analyse the nutritional practices and nutritional awareness of male and female under-19 boxers in the district of Kullu, HP.

Design and Methods: This is a comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study. The population of boxers in the respective districts was 60 (30 female and 30 male), selected through purposive sampling. Structured questionnaires on nutritional practices and awareness were used to collect data. An independent-samples t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The female boxers had higher scores on nutritional awareness (M = 2.50, SD = 0.97) than the male boxers (M = 2.17, SD = 0.70); however, this difference was not statistically significant (Welch's t(52.6) = 1.52, p = .134). In contrast, female boxers showed significantly better nutritional practices (M = 26.50, SD = 4.36) compared to male boxers (M = 17.03, SD = 5.09), t (58) = 7.74, p < .001, with a very large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.998).

Conclusions: When compared with male boxers, female boxers had a more structured diet pattern and healthier eating habits, although they had a similar level of nutritional awareness. The results underscore the need to make nutrition education and counselling more accessible and to introduce structured support programmes for athletes to enhance nutritional behaviour among young boxers.