Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

We assess the use of Instagram® as a platform for teaching targeted nutrition education messages to a high school cross country team and their parents. A formative evaluation research study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using Instagram® as a nutrition education tool and resource for high school cross country runners, parents, and coaches. A team Instagram account was created for the cross country team at one private, high school in St. Louis, MO. Fifteen high school athletes, 2 coaches, and 30 parents served as subjects. Qualitative and descriptive data was collected via focus groups, face to face interviews, and brief paper surveys from the three groups: athletes, coaches, and parents. Based on theme analysis, anticipated results will include feedback on usefulness of Instagram® as a tool for conveying nutrition information for high school athletes, coaches, and parents. Subjects will report feedback on comprehension of the nutrition content presented on the team Instagram® page. The present research is formative in nature and serves as a process evaluation of using Instagram® as a tool or component of a targeted nutrition education curricula designed for a high school cross country team, coaches, and parents. The results of this study will guide researchers toward designing an effective and targeted nutrition education program for high school runners to enhance performance and prevent injury pre-, during, and post-season. Lessons learned from this research can be useful in creating nutrition education curricula for other high school sports teams.