Food consumption association and nutritional status of fitness practitioners

Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition plays an important role in the health and performance of athletes and sportsmen and an adequate supply of nutrients is necessary to optimize results. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the food consumption and nutritional status of bodybuilding practitioners. Materials and Methods: Sociodemographic, food consumption (two recalls) and anthropometric (weight, height and skin folds) data were collected. The averages of the recalls were compared with the references of the Dietary References Intakes (NASEN, 2017; 2019) and the Brazilian Society of Exercise and Sports Medicine (SBME, 2009). The Body Mass Index (BMI) and % of body fat were calculated. Results: 71 bodybuilders participated in the study, most of them in eutrophic state (63.4%), followed by overweight/obesity (33.8%). The average consumption of carbohydrates was significantly lower than the recommendations, 41.7% of the total energy value (VET), while the average consumption of lipids was significantly higher, 35.8% of the VET. The consumption of vitamin D, potassium and fiber was significantly lower than the recommendations in both genders, in contrast, the consumption of sodium was significantly higher. Iron consumption was significantly above the recommendations among men and significantly lower among women. Conclusion: It was observed an inadequate consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamin D, potassium and fibers by bodybuilders in relation to the recommendations, requiring a greater role of the nutritionist in the gyms in order to promote the adequacy of food consumption.