title: Protein supplementation and dietary behaviours of resistance trained men and women attending commercial gyms: a comparative study between the city centre and the suburbs of Palermo, Italy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is anecdotally recognized that commercial gym users assume supplements in order to improve performance or health. However, dietary behaviours of people and athletes attending commercial gyms have been poorly studied. The exact amount and frequency of dietary supplements consumption are still needed to be investigated. The main purpose of this study is to understand the quantity and quality of food intake, as well as dietary supplementation in people attending commercial gyms. Secondly to compare the city centre and the suburbs of Palermo, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to 561 subjects, 207 from the city centre (CC) and 354 from the suburbs (SB) of Palermo, Italy. Frequency of protein supplements use and association with dietary behaviours were investigated. Subsequently, the frequency distribution was used for demographic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of protein consumption was similar in both groups (30% for CC and 28.8% for SB). Males show greater consumption percentages than females (30.5% in males and 6.9% in females). Milk and chicken are the most frequently consumed foods. Data show that non-supplement users (NSU) consume significantly more snacks and bakery products than supplement users (SU) (P < 0.001). While, SU consume significantly higher quantities of vegetables, nuts, fresh fish, eggs and canned tuna (P < 0.001). SU consume less low protein food and higher protein foods than NSU. No differences were found between CC and SB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Protein consumption among commercial gym users is 30% for the CC and 28.8% for the SB. Significant differences were found between CC and SB females, underlining an interesting discrepancy, indicating to dietary supplement industries regarding regional implications. Subjects that use protein supplements also consume larger quantities of high protein food compared to NSU. NSU also eat higher proportions of unhealthy food compared to SU.
authors: Sport and Exercises Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Eleonora Duse, 2-90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Bianco
authors: "G. D'Alessandro" Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother-Child Care, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Mammina
authors: Sport and Exercises Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Eleonora Duse, 2-90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Ewan
authors: E
authors: Thomas
authors: Sport and Exercises Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Eleonora Duse, 2-90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Marianna
authors: M
authors: Bellafiore
authors: Sport and Exercises Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Eleonora Duse, 2-90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Battaglia
authors: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Via Manzolo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors: Tatiana
authors: T
authors: Moro
authors: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Via Manzolo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Paoli
authors: Sport and Exercises Research Unit, University of Palermo, Via Eleonora Duse, 2-90146 Palermo, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Palma
keywords: Dietary behaviour; Gym; Protein project; Protein supplements; Questionnaire