First PhD in Dietetics graduate tailors meal plans for bodybuilding athletes

First PhD in Dietetics graduate tailors meal plans for bodybuilding athletes

Dr Sylven Masoga, the pioneering first-ever graduate of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Dietetics at the University of Limpopo (UL), is poised to make a lasting impact in the field of Dietetics

Supported by UL’s University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) to obtain his PhD at the University of the Free State in 2023, Dr Masoga is the first PhD holder in Dietetics at UL. He views his academic achievement as a potential catalyst for collaboration that will bring about substantial changes in teaching methodologies, research endeavours, and community engagements within his field.

With his thesis titled, ‘The impact of a nutrition intervention on the nutritional status of amateur bodybuilding athletes in the Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa,’ Dr Masoga, revealed that his nutrition intervention, employing meal plans, effectively maintained crucial parameters such as waist circumference, anthropometry, serum lipid, and micronutrient levels in the body of the athletes.

The Senior Lecturer in the Human Nutrition and Dietetics department at UL expressed his worry about the potential health risks associated with nutritionally imbalanced diets. He says this is often supported by weak scientific study and mostly prevalent among athletes.

“It was concerning that athletes’ diets could lead to abnormal serum lipids, undesirable alterations in body composition, and deficiencies in water-soluble nutrients and minerals,” he stated. In response, he developed diverse meal plans tailored to bodybuilding athletes considering their weight categories to mitigate these concerns.

These meticulously crafted meal plans, aligning with the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines and incorporating indigenous food items, were given to athletes and closely monitored for three months. Dr Masoga’s study was prompted by the dietary practices of bodybuilding athletes in Limpopo Province, aiming to enhance their body composition for various competitions.

From this study, three articles were produced, with one already accepted for publication in January 2024. The other two manuscripts are currently undergoing peer-review in esteemed journals. Additionally, one paper was presented at a seminar hosted by Linnaeus University in Sweden (Europe) in September 2023.

Dr Masoga acknowledges the invaluable support he received from UCDP, established in 2018 by the UL’s Department of Research Administration and Development. The programme plays a crucial role in supporting staff development, by proving financial assistance such as registration of the doctoral degrees, transportation, accommodation during data collection, and writing retreats throughout the doctoral studies of the staff members.

Since its inception in 2018, the UCDP has supported over 46 candidates, with 50% graduating from the first cohort (2018-2021) in 2021 and 2022. The 2021- 2023 intake boasts over 35 candidates, emphasising the programme’s continuous commitment to enhancing the University’s research capacity, supervision, publication output, and overall visibility and standing.

By Evans Khalo