Relationship Between Muscle Dysmorphia and other Factors with Supplement Consumption Among Selected Gym Members in Jakarta

Abstract

Ergogenic supplements can enhance exercise performance. However, many gym members use them without consulting professionals such as nutritionists/dietitians, increasing the risk of adverse effects. This study investigates the consumption of ergogenic supplements and factors associated with them among members of selected fitness centers in Jakarta. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 participants from 3 fitness centers in Jakarta. The independent variables studied were Muscle Dysmorphia, Exercise Addiction, self-esteem, body image, age, gender, exercise duration, exercise experience, exercise intensity, and social media exposure. Data was collected via interviews based on a prepared questionnaire. Results showed that 67.2% of the respondents had used ergogenic supplements, with the majority using whey protein for muscle enhancement reasons. The main sources of information were friends (39.7%) and the internet (37.2%). The chi-square test showed a significant relationship between male gender (OR = 3.055; 95%CI: 1.298—7.188), exercise experience of 7—12 months (OR = 5.4; 95%CI: 1.621—17.991), and >1 year (OR = 5.091; 95%CI: 1.910—13.571) with supplement consumption. In conclusion, this study unveils a high prevalence of ergogenic supplement consumption, particularly whey protein for muscle enhancement, among fitness center members.