Background

Background

The consumption of dietary supplements has been increasing and becoming popular, especially combined with the practice of physical activity.

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the use of dietary supplements combined with the practice of physical activities in university students in the extreme south of Brazil.

Method

A cross-sectional study conducted at a public university in Rio Grande/Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), with a sample of 1,401 university students.

Results

A total of 29.7% (95% CI: 27.3-32.1) of university students reported having used some kind of dietary supplement when practicing physical activities. The predominant supplements were: Whey Protein (79%), Maltodextrin (48%) and isotonic (45%). The main sources of guidance for using supplements were friends and other practitioners of fitness centers. The multivariate analysis showed that current gym center users are 158% more likely to use supplements compared to non-participants in physical activities at such centers. Other groups associated with the use of supplements were: male college students, young people from 20 to 29 years of age, with higher family income and alcohol users.

Conclusion

One in three college students have already used dietary supplements and such behavior may be widespread in gyms, without further details on the care and needs for using them.

Keywords:
supplementary feeding; physical activity; University