Relationship between quality of life and food consumption among gym physical activity practitioners

Abstract

Abstract Background The concern related quality of life has awakened in society the search for a healthier lifestyle, through physical activity and better eating habits. Gym practitioners are particularly predisposed to the pursuit of well-being and quality and life. To analyse the relationship between the adequacy of food consumption and the quality of life among gym practitioners. Methods Data collection was carried out in a single moment through an online questionnaire. Information about age, gender, geographic region, educational level, food consumption and quality of life was collected. To characterize food consumption Portuguese food guide were used, and for the characterization of quality of life, the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was applied. Results There were no differences in quality of life (total score) related to the adequacy of the seven groups of Portuguese food guide. The same is not true for the different quality of life domains. Individuals who consume ‘Legumes’ above the recommended are those with the best psychological domain score (P = 0.010). Individuals who have a consumption above the recommended of the groups ‘Cereals, derivatives and Tubers’ and ‘Fats and oils’ have a better score in the social domain, respectively (P = 0.025) and (P = 0.020). The individuals with a water intake above the recommended were those who obtained a higher score in all domains: the physical domain (P = 0.003), psychological domain (P < 0.001), social domain (P = 0.002) and environmental domain (P = 0.002). Conclusions Food consumption seems not influence quality of life of gym practitioners, however future research should be conducted to clarify some associations related to proper domains.