Abstract
Excellence in sports requires talent, training, and a strong foundation in health and nutrition. This study investigated the relationship between socio-economic status, health, nutrition, and sports performance among Cluster 9 athletes in Buayan District, General Santos City Division to guide future development initiatives. A quantitative research design was used, analyzing demographic profiles, socio-economic backgrounds, health and nutritional status, and sports performance through surveys and statistical tools like weighted mean, Pearson’s r, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that most athletes were male, aged 15–16 years old, with Track and Field as the most popular sport. A majority of athletes came from households earning below ten thousand pesos monthly with nearly half had less than a year of sports experience, and most lived one to three kilometers away from their schools. Health and nutritional status were rated as "Sometimes," while sports performance was rated as "Most of the Time." A moderate positive correlation was found between health and nutrition and sports performance though regression analysis indicated a weak and non-significant relationship between athletes' profiles and nutritional status. These results emphasize the need for better support systems to enhance athlete development and resource access. Despite moderate correlations between health, nutrition, and performance, nutritional inconsistencies require interventions to promote sustained well-being and athletic performance. This study confirms the vital role of health and nutrition in sports performance and the necessity of structured sports development programs. In response, a sports development program was formulated to address the identified issues and support athletes’ holistic growth.
