The protein supplements consumption among people attending commercial gyms: The Protein Project

Abstract

Nowadays, in an European gym context we may find more than three people amongst ten who declare protein supplements consumption. Health, physical fitness, self-esteem, performance and muscle hypertrophy are usually the main reasons inducing such kind of consumption. It well documented that particularly active individuals use supplements to build muscle, gain strength or prevent future diseases and illnesses. Furthermore, scientific researchers have shown that in general people have different opinions about the use of supplements and the appropriate food to eat. As reported by Bianco and colleagues in 2011, proteins are the most widely ingested supplements in people attending commercial gyms and supplement users also consumed higher protein content foods in respect to those who did not supplement. It is clear that there is an increased interest in what is considered “proper” nutrition and what is the best nutritional strategy to optimize exercise-training workouts. Dietary behaviour is in fact a complex phenomenon; food-based approaches are regarded as the long-term strategy for improving nutrition. These require significant efforts and appropriate planning in order to include certain specific macronutrients or supplements in every day’s diet. Moreover, the area of provenience seems to have an influence on supplements choices and on dietary behaviours (as reported by Bianco et al in 2014). Dieting or unhealthy eating practices, (such as eating foods deemed as “bad” by the dieter), in one-way or another, may be associated with long-term weight gain. Previous studies have shown discrepant rates of supplement intake amongst subjects that exercise in gyms. These different findings might be explained by different gyms and people enrolled. Probably an under or over-reported use of such supplements, or an incorrect knowledge of what is considered a supplement may lead to such results. As mentioned before, proteins are the most widely consumed supplement in commercial gyms, although association of protein supplements and food consumption is a poorly researched field. It is to date unclear whether those more inclined to supplement also have healthier dietary patterns. As shown by Pechey and colleagues in 2010, socioeconomic status is another factor influencing the quality of food intake, highlighting that low socioeconomic status people usually purchase a greater proportion of unhealthy foods and beverages. Conversely, high socioeconomic status people purchase greater proportions of fibres, proteins and total sugars, and smaller proportions of sodium.The protein project is a scientific project of ten years duration (2011-2021) leaded by the University of Palermo in collaboration with many partners from the entire world. It is composed by three different epidemiological studies: Study A) Population Target - Commercial Gym attendees, Study design, Faceto- face interview; Study B) Population Target - Commercial Gym attendees, Study design, Self Reporting Questionnaire; Study C) Population Target - Net Surfers Study design, Self Reporting Online Short Questionnaire. The protein project aims to investigate the use of protein supplementation, alone or in association with other supplements amongst regular fitness center attendees. The project is actually running in 4 European countries and involves 7 Universities. Moreover, Authors are interested in sources of information, dietary behaviour, quality of training and quality of life of people who are attending commercial gyms, The common questions we are trying to answer are: 1) Who is taking protein supplements nowadays? 2) There is enough information about? Within commercial gyms? Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors are enough qualified to prescribe supplements? Are proteins really necessary to obtain results? Which kind of association is the most favourite in case of protein consumption?