Dietary intake and nitrogen balance of bodybuilders in Cuité-PB, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Sports nutrition has grown substantially. Considering that as compared to sedentary or moderately active individuals, athletes have distinct nutritional requirements, it is important to reflect on the adequacy of food intake as compared to the established recommendations. Thus, the present study evaluated food consumption and nitrogen balance in bodybuilders' from Cuité-Paraí­ba, aiming to learn their food and nutritional profiles. Methods: Data were collected using structured questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls. Anthropometric evaluations were performed. The analyses were performed on Avanutri®. For both urea determination and nitrogen balance calculations, twenty-four (24) hour urine processing was also performed. Results: The sample consisted of 6 amateur bodybuilders, with a mean age of 22.83 ± 4.53 (standard deviation), weight 72.37 ± 14.34 kg, height 1.68 ± 0.10 meters, and fat percentage of 11.81 ± 2.84%. The majority (5 athletes) was in the hypertrophy period (off-session), and 1 athlete was in definition (pre-contest). The food consumption results indicated that according to established recommendations for the sports modality, the athletes (with high intake of protein, and low carbohydrate consumption) were practicing inadequate eating habits. Testing showed that zinc, and vitamins D, B1, B2, and B6 intake was adequate. It was also observed that 66.67% (n = 4) used dietary supplements. The mean nitrogen balance was 19.15 ± 22.09. Conclusion: The bodybuilders' diets were hyper-proteic, normo-lipid and hypo-glycemic; being inadequate in magnesium, iron, sodium and vitamins A, B3, C and E. The positive nitrogen balance found for the athletes correlated to their high protein intakes.