Analysis of the consumption of nutritional supplements by practitioners of physical activity in fitness centers / Análise do consumo de suplementos nutricionais por praticantes de atividade física em academias de ginástica

Abstract

The consumption of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals has increased in an abusive way all over the world. The concern with body esthetics and ease of sale has led the population to use indiscriminately what can harm health. The aim of the study was to analyze the use of nutritional supplements by bodybuilders in gyms in order to know if there is consumption and if there was prior knowledge about the effects caused by food supplements and by who was recommended (whether a qualified professional or own initiative). The research was conducted through a multiple-choice questionnaire applied to 100 individuals who regularly practice bodybuilding, between 18 and 30 years old, in gyms in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Among those interviewed, 75% used nutritional supplements; 30% got nominations from Personal Trainers or even friends 28%; 24% used the internet as a source of information; 88% do not know the effects caused by overuse; 29% use whey protein (Whey Protein) and 25% use BCAA amino acids (Branch Chain Amino Acids); 16% thermogenic and 10% creatine. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the consumption of nutritional supplements is frequent, usually without guidance from a trained professional and incorrectly or even excessively by users. This increases the concern about the use of food supplements without the supervision of a nutritionist.