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. 2012:2012:703490.
doi: 10.1155/2012/703490. Epub 2012 Feb 1.

Intake of Nutritional Supplements among People Exercising in Gyms in Beirut City

D El Khoury  1 , S Antoine-Jonville
Affiliations

Intake of Nutritional Supplements among People Exercising in Gyms in Beirut City

D El Khoury et al. J Nutr Metab. 2012.

Abstract

The use of nutritional supplements among exercisers in gyms has been never investigated in the Middle East. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence intake of nutritional supplements and the potential influencing factors among people exercising in gyms in Beirut city. In this cross-sectional study, 512 exercisers, aged between 20 and 50 years, were randomly selected from gyms. The intake of nutritional supplements was reported among 36.3% (95% confidence interval 32.2-40.5) of participants, with a weak presence of medical supervision. Patterns of supplement use differed by gender and age. Men and younger exercisers were found to focus on supplements associated with performance enhancement and muscle building, while women and older exercisers were more concerned with health-promoting products such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. An appropriate dissemination of accurate and scientifically sound information regarding the benefits and side effects of nutritional supplements is highly recommended in the sports environment in Beirut city.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Types of nutritional supplements used among supplement users (n = 186); BCAA: branched-chain amino acids; AA pills: amino acid pills. There are no missing data.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Reasons for supplement use among supplement users (n = 186). There are no missing data.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Sources of information among supplement users (n = 186). There are no missing data.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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