Exercise dependence and its relationship with supplementation at gyms in Brazil

Introduction: Brazil is the second country in the world with the largest number of gyms, currently accounting for approximately 30 thousand units. There is increasing evidence that a significant part of gym-goers develop excessive commitment to practicing physical exercises, which may even generate pathological dependence. Aim: To determine the association between physical exercise addiction (ED) and supplement intake among gym-goers. Method: The exercise addiction scale was employed for gym-goers older than 19 years of both sexes. Individual interview was made by using nutritional history to determine supplement intake profile; data related to anthropometry and participation in the gym were also assessed. Results: The frequency of ED at gyms was 66.5% and the prevalence of supplementation was 51.5%, while the chances for an exercise addict to be a supplement consumer were estimated at 4.53. Conclusion: The relationship between ED and supplement intake was proven, constituting an alert for health professionals, who should consider the risk factors for the development of more severe signs and symptoms, including obsessive weight control by means of excessive practice of exercises, diets with no nutritional basis and unnecessary supplementation. It is recommended to include nutritional assessment among the instruments to detect ED and supplementation so that, if necessary, campaigns can be promoted to elucidate diets, healthy body composition patterns and drastic changes in eating patterns, as well as other issues related to nutritional care.