Use of food supplements for adults of a gym in the city of Passo Fundo-RS

Abstract

Due to increased concern for beauty, many dietary supplements have been marketed and consumed by the population, seeking quick results to improve they body image. Therefore, this study found out which are the most used, the reasons why, and who is recommending the use of supplements. It is a cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaire in adults of both sexes, between 20 and 59 years of practicing various physical modalities in a gym. The research was developed in a traditional Gym in Passo Fundo (RS), considered one of the largest in the town that serves students from various parts of the city. The sample was made of 108 persons, 63 (58%) men in a mean age of 26.2 years old. Of the participants, 58% (n = 63) were using dietary supplements, andonly 29% (n = 18) were nutritional counseling, numbers that are found in several other studies. The main aim was to increase users lean mass (54%, n = 34), and for both, the most commonly used supplements were amino acids and proteins in 55%. The supplement most consumed by all is Whey Protein, 90% (n = 57). It is noticeable that gym goers are using various types of supplements without proper guidance, requiring more rigor in the sale and prescription of these supplements.