Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Hadeel Ali Ghazzawi; student Ali Jamil Qoqazeh discussed his thesis in the Department of Nutrition and Food Technology under the supervision of Dr. Alaa Al-Bakhit and Prof. Hadeel Ghazzawi. The discussion committee consisted of Professor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rawashdeh from Mutah University as an external examiner, Professor Dr. Hani Al-Damour, and Professor Dr. Saddam Al-Awaisheh. His thesis was entitled

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward sports supplements and doping substances among the Jordanian community: A cross-sectional study

The study aims to assess the community's knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the use of sports supplements and stimulants and to assess the relationship between socio-demographic variables and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sports supplements and stimulants, in addition to determining the relationship between knowledge and attitudes related to the use of sports supplements and stimulants with practices. The student's thesis, which was conducted on a sample of Jordanian society, revealed that society has sufficient knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices towards sports supplements and stimulants. Knowledge of sports supplements and stimulants was significantly associated with age and area of ​​residence, while practices were affected by the salary and area of ​​residence of the participants. The thesis highlighted the danger of taking sports stimulants and supplements without nutritional supervision from specialists.

Student Tamara Al-Halayqa successfully discussed her master's thesis , supervisor, Prof. Dr. Hadeel Ali Ghazzawi​. It was entitled “Evaluation of the Nutritional Status of Elite Athletes with Special Needs affiliated with the Jordanian Paralympic Committee.”

Its committee consisted of Professor Alia Al-Ghuwairy, Dr. Rima Mashal, and Dr. Fadwa Hammou.

Elite Paralympic athletes, a small group of elite Jordanian athletes, do not receive adequate nutritional care, which leads to poor nutritional status and negative effects on their performance. Results The assessment of average dietary intake compared to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) showed that a high percentage of athletes with special needs had inadequate protein intake and high intakes of sugar and fat, and carbohydrate intake was within the acceptable range. As for dietary fiber, omega-3 and omega-6

It was below the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI), and vitamins A, E, B3, and pantothenic acid, as well as the minerals magnesium and phosphorus, were also below the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

Furthermore, there were significant differences between training and rest days, pre-competition days, and competition days in average intakes of protein, sugar, omega-3, cholesterol, and vitamins A, B3, B6, and B12. (P < 0.05)

Regarding blood tests, the majority of the study participants had normal blood levels of albumin, creatinine, total protein, C-reactive protein, insulin-like growth factor, and serum ferritin. On the other hand, more than 95% of the participants had vitamin D deficiency. However, the majority of the participants (86.96%) had normal bone mineral density.

Body mass index assessment showed that only 14.29% of study participants were of normal weight, with most of them either overweight or obese.​

A high percentage of athletes with special needs suffer from a deficiency in protein intake and several vitamins and minerals, in addition to low levels of vitamin D in the blood. Therefore, athletes with special needs should be provided with appropriate nutritional plans and continuous follow-up. Therefore, future research should strive to find specific nutritional recommendations and bone density assessment criteria for physical disability

The discussion of the master's student Tasneem Al Shaer was completed under the supervision of Prof. Hadeel Alghazzawi and the supervision of Professor Dr. Nihad Al Batikhi, with a committee of a group of distinguished professors from the College of Medicine and the College of Sports Sciences.

Being an athlete, especially in combat sports, or as they are known, weight-based sports, has beneficial effects on bone density and body weight due to high muscle mass and mechanical loads. It has been observed that this effect still exists after retirement; isolated athletes have higher and healthier bone density than others even with age. As for weight, retired athletes have a greater chance of gaining weight than others. The result of our research showed that retired male athletes had higher bone density in the left thigh and spine compared to non-athletes. 65% of non-athletes had normal bone density, 20% had abnormal bone density, and 15 had osteomalacia. 100% of retired athletes had normal bone density. As for weight changes, retired athletes showed higher changes in weight compared to non-athletes.

Research Suggestions and Recommendations: This study recommends increasing awareness of the importance of physical activity for health among non-athletes and youth in Jordan. It also recommends retired athletes improve their nutritional intake and be aware of the importance of maintaining physical activity to maintain bone health and improve their weight. Non-athlete participants need to enhance their physical activity and nutritional intake to improve their bone weight and health.

Abstract: A high percentage of athletes with special needs suffer from a deficiency in protein intake and several vitamins and minerals, in addition to low levels of vitamin D in the blood. Therefore, athletes with special needs should be provided with appropriate nutritional plans and continuous follow-up. Therefore, future research should strive to find specific nutritional recommendations and bone density assessment criteria for physical disability​.

Student Manar Jaradat wrote her master’s thesis under the supervision of Prof. Hadeel Alghazzawi and the supervision of Professor Dr. Iyad Mughaira.

The study aimed to compare the levels of the hormones ghrelin and leptin and the enzyme glutathione peroxidase in a sample of athletes.

Elite national team participants and a sample of inactive males.

Exercise has been linked to suppressing hunger hormones, especially aerobic exercise, and exercise has been linked to higher levels of glutathione compared to inactive people.

Highlighting the benefits of exercise in reducing hunger in the long term and improving immunity.

Student Batool Naser discussed her master's thesis under the supervision of Prof. Hadeel Ghaazzawi. A committee consisting of Professor Nihad Batikhi, Dr. Hossam Al-Houry, and Dr. Tamara Al-Mousa,The study examined the knowledge about FODMAPs among athletes and dietitians.

The results showed that the overall percentage of athletes’ knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet was approximately 71.99%. The percentage of knowledge among coaches was around 71.24%, indicating that they had sufficient knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet. In comparison, the overall percentage of knowledge among dietitians reached approximately 80.42%, which was the highest percentage. There was a significant difference in the level of knowledge regarding the low-FODMAP diet between these groups (P = 0.002).

There was also a significant difference in knowledge levels about the low-FODMAP diet between nutritionists with different years of experience (P = 0.008) and between the years of coaching experience for trainers (P = 0.033), indicating that as years of experience increased, their knowledge improved. Additionally, the number of training hours per week for athletes significantly affected their level of knowledge (P = 0.010). There was also a significant difference in knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet between genders (P = 0.005) and between different body mass index (BMI) categories (P = 0.019). The financial status also significantly affected the knowledge level (P = 0.012). The study also showed that having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) did not affect knowledge about the low-FODMAP diet.

The study concluded that there is a high level of knowledge regarding the low-FODMAP diet among athletes and coaches, but dietitians had the highest level of knowledge in this regard.​