(1) Background: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of health-related behaviors, including dietary habits and physical activity. This cross-sectional study examined the associations between participation in organized sports, nutrient intake, and body composition in a sample of Greek adolescents. (2) Methods: A total of 224 adolescents aged 12–18 years from schools in the Attica region, Greece, participated in the study. Physical activity and organized sports participation were assessed using a validated questionnaire. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dietary intake was evaluated using three-day self-reported food records analyzed with Cronometer® nutrition analysis software. (3) Results: Boys had higher fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate and lower fat-mass percentage than girls. Organized sports participation was common and differed by sex, with boys reporting higher participation and greater adherence to physical activity recommendations than girls. Organized sports participation was associated with differences in selected nutrient intakes, particularly among late adolescents; however, several differences were attenuated when nutrient intake was standardized per 1000 kcal, suggesting that part of the observed pattern may reflect differences in total energy intake. (4) Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings suggest that age-defined adolescent stage and organized sports participation are associated with differences in sports involvement, body composition, and nutrient intake among Greek adolescents; however, causal relationships cannot be established, and the findings should be interpreted as associations.
Karaoglou et al. (Mon,) studied this question.