Utilização de suplementos alimentares: padrões, prevalência e determinantes entre adultos fisicamente ativos na Albânia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v77.118294Palavras-chave:
Albania, dietary supplement, DS pattern, physical activity, prevalenceResumo
Introdução: Os suplementos alimentares (SD) são produtos destinados a abordar as deficiências nutricionais e a apoiar a saúde em geral. Embora o consumo de SD tenha aumentado globalmente, a evidência sobre a sua utilização, padrões e determinantes entre adultos fisicamente activos na Albânia continua a ser muito limitada.
Objectivos: Este estúdio explorou a utilização de SD entre adultos que praticam actividade física na Albânia, centrando-se nos padrões de consumo, nas motivações e nos factores que influenciam a sua ingestão.
Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal entre março e setembro de 2025. Um questionário anónimo foi distribuído a 570 indivíduos fisicamente ativos na Albânia.
Resultados: No total, 52,3% dos participantes referiu utilizar SD. As proteínas (58,1%), as vitaminas e minerais (46,0%) e a creatina (27,5%) são os suplementos mais consumidos. As principais razões para o uso de suplementos foram o aumento de energia (44,9%), o ganho muscular (34,2%) e a melhoria do rendimento (34,2%), todos significativamente associados ao estado de uso de suplementos (p < 0,001; q = 0,002). O tipo de suplemento relacionou-se significativamente com as motivações de utilização (todos p < 0,001; q = 0,014). As horas semanais de treino e receber avaliação de um treinador foram os preditores mais fortes do uso de SD na análise multivariada (OR = 28,90 e OR = 16,62; ambos p < 0,001).
Conclusão: O uso de SD é comum entre os adultos fisicamente ativos na Albânia e é influenciado principalmente pela carga de treino e pela ocupação do treinador. As práticas de suplementação refletem motivações relacionadas com o rendimento e o ganho muscular, enquanto a não utilização se deve à perceção de uma dieta adequada e à incerteza sobre a eficácia dos suplementos. Estes hallazgos fornecem evidências básicas para orientar futuras investigações e promover um uso seguro e informado de suplementos nesta população.
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