A survey of dietary supplement use among Italian sporting club athletes

Abstract

We performed a descriptive survey on the use of dietary supplements among Italian sporting club amateur athletes to obtain information on the prevalence of use and beliefs of athletes on their usefulness and danger to plan information strategies. The DOXA Institute selected and interviewed 289 amateur athletes (median age 35 years, range 18–57) in sport facilities practising various sports. Subjects were asked about their beliefs on the use of supplements for athletic performance, and the related benefits and side effects. Sixty-seven percent of athletes reported that physical performance is increased with a balanced diet, 89.6% that supplements can further increase it and 69.9% that supplements are widespread and not difficult to buy. Amateur athletes believed that about 50% of athletes of both sexes use supplements at least occasionally, that the highest prevalence of use is among those aged 30–44 years and the lowest is among teenagers. Sixty-two percent of athletes reported an increase of use over the last few years, 40.5% that supplements had no adverse effects, 55.7% that some athletes abuse supplements at least occasionally and 61.3% that medical advice is not obtained before use. Supplements containing minerals are reported as most useful followed by those with vitamins and amino acids/proteins. Probiotics/phytotherapics and meal replacements were less frequently used. Thus, in the opinion of amateur athletes attending sporting clubs, supplement use is widespread and non-professional athletes are poorly informed of the potential adverse effects of supplementation, supporting the need for correct scientific information that can balance the marketing that encourages its use.