Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use of Protein Supplements among Saudi Adults: Gender Differences.

Manan A Alhakbany,Ghadah Alhenaki,Aseel Almughaiseeb,Hana A Alzamil,Hazzaa M Al-Hazzaa,Razan Alzahrani,Esraa Alnazzawi

doi:10.3390/healthcare10020394

Manan A Alhakbany, Ghadah Alhenaki + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020394

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Abstract

Saudi Arabia has witnessed recent reforms and positive socio-political changes that have led to increased opportunities for women to participate in fitness centers. This study investigated protein supplement consumption among Saudi females compared with that among males and examined the knowledge and attitudes of the participants toward protein supplement use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh using a previously validated, self-administered online survey. The questionnaire included items related to the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practice of protein supplementation. The participants were 354 adults (58.2% were females). The results showed that over 47% of the participants attended fitness centers with more male (80.3%) than female (41%) attendees. Nearly 50% of the participants consumed protein supplements, with males (68.7%) using significantly (p < 0.001) more protein supplements than females (35.6%). The powdered form was most commonly consumed. The percentage of gym attendees (67.8%) who used protein supplements was higher than that among non-gym attendees (32.2%). Gaining muscles (56.1%) followed by compensating for protein deficiency (28.6%) were the reasons for taking protein supplements, with a significant gender difference (p < 0.001). Coaches provided the most information on protein supplements. The participants appeared to be knowledgeable about protein supplements. Although over 68% of protein supplement users suffered from various symptoms, only 20% of the participants thought that there was no risk in taking protein supplements, with significant gender differences. It was concluded that Saudi male participants are twice more likely to attend the gym and consume protein supplements compared with females. Of both genders, those attending the gym consumed more protein supplements than non-gym attendees.

Highlights

Dietary supplements (DS) are food products containing dietary ingredients intended to supplement the diet with more nutritional value, and they include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs or botanicals, and other substances [1]
Lower consumption of protein supplements than what was shown in our study was reported in a Spanish study, which examined the consumption of protein powder supplement (PPS) among participants of fitness centers and found that 28% of the individuals were using or had used PPS [25]
The present study showed that male participants are twice as likely to attend the gym and consume protein supplements compared with females

Summary

Introduction

Dietary supplements (DS) are food products containing dietary ingredients intended to supplement the diet with more nutritional value, and they include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs or botanicals, and other substances [1]. There is a lot of evidence on the widespread use of DS in various countries [2–9]. In Saudi Arabia, many studies have shown that the consumption of DS is becoming increasingly popular, among fitness center attendees. Among a sample of the general public in Riyadh, DS consumption was reported to be prevalent [10]. Half (53.6%) of health science students consumed DS [11]. In a survey from Riyadh, the majority of young adult males used DS, and the most commonly consumed supplements were proteins (29%) [12]

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