Prevalence and factors related to the consumption of food supplements in academics of the physical education course

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence and factors related to the consumption of dietary supplements in academic students of the Physical Education course. Materials and Methods: A research study was conducted in May 2018, with students of both sexes from the Physical Education course of a private institution in Montes Claros, MG. The questionnaire included descriptive and multiple choice questions that addressed sociodemographic aspects, life habits, knowledge about healthy eating, use of dietary supplements and level of physical activity. Results: The sample consisted of 179 individuals, aged between 22 and 35 years. It was also observed that there was a significant association between the use of dietary supplements with the variables: knowledge about healthy eating (p = 0.008), knowledge about supplements (p = 0.000), level of physical activity (p = 0.000), number of times per week that practice activity (p = 0.013) and the practice of more than one type of physical exercise (p = 0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that the consumption of dietary supplements in physical education students is significant, and that there is an association between the use of dietary supplements with knowledge about healthy eating, knowledge about supplements, level of physical activity, number of times per week that practice physical activity and the practice of more than one type of physical exercise. In this sense, future studies are necessary to evaluate the consumption of these supplements. It is also recommended to develop interventions in order to guide these academics when to the conscious use of these supplements.