KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE OF YOUNG ATHLETES IN BAGHDAD CITY/IRAQ TOWARD THE USE OF SPORTS SUPPLEMENTS

Abstract

Dietary supplements are used as nutritional boosters. The types that are used for the enhancement of sport-and-athletic routines and to regain strength quickly are known as sports supplements. The main objective of this research is to assess the knowledge and attitude of young athletes in Baghdad city on the use of these sports supplements. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 young athletes in Baghdad city using self-administered questionnaires. The participants were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. The mean age of the participants was 26.89 years and the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 23.12 kg/m2. The most common supplements used were Mass protein (35.9%), followed by Whey protein (29.3%), and creatinine (15.1%). Around two-thirds (75%) of the athletes had previous information regarding sport supplements and the most common source of this information was their personal trainer at the gym (39.8%). Currently, 60.5% of the participants are taking sport supplements. There was a significant association between the knowledge variables (time for taking supplements, reasons for taking supplements, and taking the correct amount) and age (p-value 0.007, 0.005, 0.009), respectively. A majority of the participants, 78.9%, refused to take the forbidden supplements to improve their performance. Thus we can conclude that young athletes have an acceptable level of knowledge regarding sport supplements and a good attitude, especially toward the usage of forbidden supplements. More promotions are needed in Baghdad city, to get young people using gyms to focus on their health.