Does Motivational Interviewing Nutrition Counseling Significantly Improve Body Composition in Division I Football Players?
Bailee Cooper, Randy Nguyen, Madison Lazirko · Journal of Exercise and Nutrition · 2026
Introduction: Collegiate American football (AF) is a collision-based, physically demanding sport for young adult males that requires high-performance nutrition and peak body composition. The
Aim: of this study was to demonstrate if motivational interviewing (MI) group-based nutrition counseling improves body composition in DI players.
Methods: This pre-post pilot study was conducted January to May 2026 in Texas, during off-season training. A dual x-ray absorptiometry scan was utilized to measure body composition pre- and- post- nutrition counseling intervention. The six 30-minute sessions were completed by a MI group-based nutrition counseling trained registered dietitian nutritionist.
Results: Thirty-four AF athletes were initially recruited to participate. A total of 22 athletes (mean ± SD) completed the pre-and post- intervention pilot study, 50% Caucasian and 50% African American. The height of the AF athletes was 188.70±6.11 cm. Paired t-tests were performed to compare the difference (post-session measurement minus pre-session measurement) in body fat percentage, bone density, fat muscle, fat-free mass, and body weight. Body mass was as follows, (pre) 116.19±20.76 kg, (post) 117.75±21.54 kg, with no change. Their fat-free mass significantly changed (pre) 79.95±8.46 kg and (post) 88.37±10.31 kg [p=0.01]. Fat mass decreased for AF athletes (pre) 30.80±13.94 kg and (post) 23.25±12.44 kg [p<0.01]. Body fat % decreased (pre) 25.5±8.3% and (post) 18.87±7.96% [p< 0.01]. Of the sessions, 58% attended 4 or more MI group-based nutrition counseling sessions.
Conclusions: This study may provide a realistic framework for utilizing MI group-based nutrition counseling to accommodate college AF athletes to improve body composition.