Abeer Almudaihim, Phd: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: This study was designed to observe the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward protein supplement use, factors associated with use, and reasons for use among Saudi college students.
Methods: Data was collected online during the Fall of 2019 from undergraduate students aged between 18 to 25. Participants were recruited through list serves from six private and governmental universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a previously validated, self-administered survey which included 2 sections; the first part identified demographic information (8 items) and the second part related to knowledge, attitude, and practice towards protein supplementation (16 items). The survey was translated from English into Arabic following guidelines for translating a questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests for the differences between variables and using protein supplement.
Results: Among the 740 Participants (58.1% were females), 17% were currently using protein supplement and 38% encourage using it . The prevalence of protein supplement use was significantly higher in male (21%) compared to female students (14%; p-value < 0.01), with no significant difference between health college students (18.4%) compared to others (14.9%) . The majority of participants prefer the powdered form of supplements (75%). The main purpose of protien supplement use was to increase muscle strength for males (47.2%) and inadequate intake for females (40%). Of the students who were surveyed 62.4% indicated that they know their daily protein requirement, however 55% of them estimated a higher daily requirements than their actual needs. Most students obtained information about protein supplements via the Internet, followed by family and friends.
Conclusions: Male undergraduate students are more likely to consume protein supplement compared with females and the main purpose of protein supplement use differ by gender. Students may have misunderstanding regarding their protein requirements and education may be important regarding the need for and effectiveness of protein supplements.
Funding Sources: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)
