PROFILE OF USERS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AMONG GYM GOERS IN FORTALEZA-CEARÁ

Abstract

Introduction: The use of dietary supplements has increased significantly and is now consumed by 70% of the US population. Part of this behavior is related to the culture of gym environments, very prevalent in our country, which induces users to have a desired body development more quickly and encourages individuals to exacerbate the consumption of food supplements, often without professional guidance. The use of these substances is facilitated, as they are very accessible and without control over their sale, which can lead to future pathologies, depending on the quantity, type and frequency of use. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile, the degree of consumption of dietary supplements and the possible symptoms presented by users of gyms in the city of Fortaleza-CE. Methods: 56 users of gyms who use supplements were analyzed through a questionnaire between December 6, 2020 and May 31, 2021, remotely and in person at 7 gyms and at Centro Universitário Christus (UNICHRITUS). Results: The public that was most present were between an age group of 20 to 29 years old, students, and graduates of high school and with the highest proportion of females, with 51.47%. Of those who attended the gyms, there are data with values that stand out: such as those that report the monthly fee of up to 200 reais, 67.85% and also the significant contingent of participants with training time between 2.5 to 5 hours 50.0% and 37.50% between 5 to 10 hours per week. In addition, among gym goers, about 50.0% reported that they used some supplement and claimed improved training performance. With a preference to use either protein/amino acid nutritional supplements of 40g per day 42.85% or with creatinine up to 7mg per day 30.35%, highlighting that a group of 32.14% uses it once per day and almost half 48.21% did not respond, probably because they did not have a fixed control of frequency or dosage. Furthermore, most participants did not show symptoms after using the supplementation and, among those who did, the main one was excessive sweating with headaches. 3.57% of the responses. The performance of diets are done by 46.42% against 53.57% of the participants. Conclusion: Therefore, it was noticed that both sexes are present in gyms in equivalent or similar amounts and mainly belong to the student group. In addition, a significant portion uses supplementation with protein compounds and/or creatine, without presenting adverse symptoms.