title: Exercise and food compensation: exploring diet-related beliefs and behaviors of regular exercisers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this qualitative study is to identify common beliefs and behaviors related to exercise and diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in focus group discussions with regular exercisers who were physically active between 1 and 5 h per week. Exercise objectives, beliefs and behaviors regarding food intake before, during, and after exercise, consumption of sport supplements, and dietary patterns on sedentary days were explored. All focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported that they reward themselves for being active by consuming food. Other exercisers had specific beliefs about dietary needs and how to compensate for exercise-induced losses along with exercise-related food likes and dislikes. The participants' food intake also depended on their personal exercise objectives, such as the goal of performing well in competitions. External and physiological factors also played a role in determining participants' dietary patterns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study show that exercising and dietary patterns are closely intertwined. In addition, we articulate new hypotheses and outline a research agenda that can help improve how regular exercisers eat.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Psychology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dohle
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wansink
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zehnder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D004435:Eating; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D066296:Grounded Theory; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult