Objective:
Studies regarding nutritional status of athletes have been increased the last decades. Nutrition assessment is a necessary first step in advising athletes on dietary strategies for improving their performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate body composition and nutritional status in a sample of athletes in Northern Greece.

Methods:
Sixty-three athletes (45 men and 18 women), participating in basketball, volleyball, football, polo, track competitions, and sprints, aged 18 to 49 years, from Northern Greece were included in the study. The subjects were submitted to anthropometric measurements and body composition was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Nutritional intake and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score questionnaire. Participants completed a validated questionnaire about their demographic and socioeconomic data, dietary preferences and ergogenic aids’ use, among others.

Results:
Participants were 22±7.22 years old, the mean weight was 79.2±16.8kg, mean BMI 23.5±3.4kg/m² and mean fat percentage 13.6±7.2%. The total Mediterranean Diet Score was 30.0±5.87 for all athletes who participated, with no statistically significant difference depending on their sport (p=0.599). Also, no statistically significant difference was found when analysis was carried out based on gender (p=0.150), education (p=0.956) and marital status (p=0.598). The majority of athletes (71.4%) did not take any dietary supplement to help them in their athletic performance, while those who used them preferred vitamins, amino acids and sports drinks (65%, 33.3% and 15% respectively) following the recommendations of their dietitian.

Conclusions:
Athletes, regardless of their sport, choose a balanced Mediterranean Diet to improve their athletic endurance and performance and abstain from any ergogenic aids.