Food evaluation and carbohydrate consumption in bodybuilders and its relationship with body composition

Abstract

Introduction: Many bodybuilders consume diets with drastic reduction or even the elimination of carbohydrates, in order to reduce body fat and reach a lower percentage of fat, which can cause several consequences to the body. Objective: Evaluate the quality of food and quantify the consumption of carbohydrate and its restriction, relating to body composition in bodybuilders. Materials and methods: Quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and field research, evaluated according to anthropometric data of weight, height and skinfolds, and from the usual food day questionnaire (DAH), analyzing the quality of food and restriction of carbohydrate in 40 individuals, being the participants of both sexes and aged between 18 and 59 years old. Results: Assessing the 40 participants, it was observed that regarding dietary calorie and caloric needs, 87.5% (n=35) of the individuals have an inadequate classification. In relation to carbohydrate consumption, there were identical values, in which 50% (n=20) of the individuals had restriction (Low Carb). The percentage of body fat that averaged 20.77%, related to carbohydrate restriction, resulted in practitioners who have a lower percentage of body fat, consume diets without carbohydrate restriction, non-Low Carb diets. Conclusion: The quality of the diet of bodybuilders was unbalanced, showing that half of the sample had carbohydrate restriction. Low carbohydrate intake was not associated with a lower percentage of body fat in these participants.