Evaluation of Dietary Habits and Protein Intake Patterns Among Gym Attendees from Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background

Protein is one of the major supplements consumed among resistance training professionals, and its supplementation is associated with improved health and sports performance. However, dietary patterns, the use of supplements and their interrelationship have not been adequately investigated. The present study aims to assess the dietary habits and use of protein supplements among gym attendees in Punjab using a descriptive cross-sectional survey.

Methods and Material

For the study, a structured questionnaire was administered to 394 gym attendees using an interview-based approach, following informed consent. Frequency distributions were used to assess protein supplement use and demographic characteristics. The association between supplement use and dietary intake was analysed using the chi-square test in SPSS, with the level of significance set at 5%.

Results

Study findings indicated that overall protein supplement consumption was 40.6% among individuals in city centres and 22.9% in suburbs. Protein supplement use was higher among males than females. Non-users of supplements consumed more legumes than supplement users. The consumption of cheese, eggs, and fish was higher among supplement users compared to non-users. About one-third of the gym attendees also consumed unhealthy food items (bakery products and snacks).

Conclusion

Overall, protein intake was higher among supplement users compared to non-users. The majority of gym attendees were unaware of basic nutrition knowledge and the principles of sports nutrition, and they followed the common misconception of a high-protein diet (from both food and supplements).

Zusammnefassung

Hintergrund

Protein ist eines der wichtigsten Nahrungsergänzungsmittel, das Kraftsportler konsumieren, und seine Ergänzung wird mit einer verbesserten Gesundheit und sportlichen Leistung in Verbindung gebracht. Die Ernährungsgewohnheiten, die Verwendung von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln und deren Zusammenhang sind jedoch nur unzureichend untersucht. Die vorliegende Studie war geplant, um die Ernährungsgewohnheiten und die Verwendung von Proteinpräparaten bei Fitnessstudiobesuchern in Punjab anhand einer deskriptiven Querschnittsumfrage zu bewerten.

Methoden und Material

Für die Studie erhielten Fitnessstudio-Besucher einen strukturierten Fragebogen, nachdem die Einwilligung mithilfe von Interviewtechnik von 394 Fitnessstudiobesuchern ausgefüllt worden war. Die Häufigkeitsverteilung wurde verwendet, um die Verwendung von Proteinpräparaten und die Demografie zu bewerten. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Einnahme von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln und der Nahrungsaufnahme wurde mittels Chi-Quadrat-Methode unter Verwendung von SPSS mit einem Signifikanzniveau (5%) analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Die Studienergebnisse zeigten, dass der Gesamtkonsum von Proteinergänzungsmitteln in Stadtzentren 40,6% und in Vororten 22,9% betrug. Männer nahmen mehr Proteinpräparate zu sich als Frauen. Benutzer, die keine Nahrungsergänzungsmittel einnahmen, konsumierten mehr Hülsenfrüchte als Benutzer von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln. Der Verzehr von Käse, Eiern und Fisch war bei Nahrungsergänzungsmittelkonsumenten höher als bei Nichtnahrungsergänzungsmittelkonsumenten. Etwa ein Drittel der Fitnessstudiobesucher konsumierte auch ungesunde Lebensmittel (Bäckerei und Snacks).

Fazit

Insgesamt war die Proteinaufnahme bei den Nahrungsergänzungsmittelnutzern höher als bei den Nichtnahrungsergänzungsmittelnutzern. Die meisten Fitnessstudiobesucher waren sich der grundlegenden Ernährungskenntnisse und -prinzipien der Sporternährung nicht bewusst und folgten der mythischen Ernährungsweise mit hohem Proteingehalt (sowohl aus der Nahrung als auch aus Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln).

Keywords

dietary habits - protein supplements - endurance - sports performance - myths and nutrition knowledge

Schlüsselwörter

Ernährungsgewohnheiten - Proteinpräparate - Ausdauer - sportliche Leistung - Mythen und Ernährungswissen

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 06. Mai 2024

Angenommen nach Revision: 15. Mai 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
09. Juli 2025

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