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Alfieri A, D’Angelo S, Mazzeo F. Role of Nutritional Supplements in Sport, Exercise and Health. Nutrients 2023; 15:4429. [PMID: 37892504 PMCID: PMC10609987 DOI: 10.3390/nu15204429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Health promotion requires good nutrition and an adequate lifestyle, which together contribute to people's well-being [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreina Alfieri
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, Parthenope University, 80133 Naples, Italy; (A.A.); (F.M.)
| | - Stefania D’Angelo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, Parthenope University, 80133 Naples, Italy; (A.A.); (F.M.)
| | - Filomena Mazzeo
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, Parthenope University, 80133 Naples, Italy; (A.A.); (F.M.)
- Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, Parthenope University, 80133 Naples, Italy
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Fagaras PS, Teodorescu SV, Bacarea A, Petrea RG, Ursanu AI, Cozmei G, Radu LE, Vanvu GI. Aspects Regarding the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among the Active Population in Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:850. [PMID: 36613172 PMCID: PMC9820110 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Food supplements contain a variety of combinations of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, and other substances. Any physical effort requires energy from balanced and healthy nutrition. This research aimed to identify the categories of dietary supplements used by active and very active participants who attend the sports and leisure centers from Targu Mures city. The survey was developed in paper and online forms using the Internet and supported multimedia and self-administration. The sample consists of 517 subjects chosen randomly from the research population and divided into the active and highly active PAI subgroups based on age, education, and gender. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20.0 was used to process the collected data. All data were analysed descriptively. Differences between independent groups were assessed using an Independent sample t-test and a Chi-square test. Statistical significance was accepted when p < 0.05. Additionally, a Pearson correlation was done. The most representative age category was between 18 and 22 years old (42.7%), the ones using dietary supplements most frequently. There were significant differences by group of age regarding the consumption of food supplements (p < 0.05) and also by gender (p < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia-Simona Fagaras
- Department of Doctoral Studies, National University of Physical Education and Sport Bucharest, 140 Constantin Noica Street, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Silvia-Violeta Teodorescu
- Department of Doctoral Studies, National University of Physical Education and Sport Bucharest, 140 Constantin Noica Street, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Bacarea
- Department ME1–Faculty of Medicine in English, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Renato-Gabriel Petrea
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Avenue, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adela-Ioana Ursanu
- Department of Teacher Training, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 67, Professor Dimitrie Mangeron Avenue, 700050 Iasi, Romania
| | - Geanina Cozmei
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Liliana-Elisabeta Radu
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, 11 Carol I Avenue, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gynetta-Ionela Vanvu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Ilić M, Pang H, Vlaški T, Grujičić M, Novaković B. Motives and Barriers for Regular Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16240. [PMID: 36498317 PMCID: PMC9736948 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Regular physical activity (PA) has multiple beneficial effects on students' health, effectively reducing the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Various factors play a role in an individual's motivation to engage in and maintain regular PA. So far, no research dealing with the motives and barriers for regular PA among medical students has been conducted in the countries of the Western Balkans. The aim of this study was to identify the motives and barriers related to regular PA and compare them with different demographic, socioeconomic, and individual lifestyle factors among Western Balkans medical students. The research was conducted in a form of a cross-sectional study. It included 2452 medical students from 14 faculties in five countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The most commonly reported motive of medical students for regular PA is to feel better, followed by stress reduction, to look better, the desire to lose weight, and to control chronic disease. PA improvement motives are more frequently associated with the female gender, more advanced years of study, a normal weight, above average household income, and a non-smoking status. Faculty obligations are the most common barrier for regular PA among medical students, followed by other barriers, such as financial situation, current life situation, and health conditions. Barriers are more frequently reported by male students who are overweight or obese, who have a below average income, and are smokers. It is necessary for public health authorities to examine and take into account the perceived motives and barriers when forming activities and policies that aim at increasing the level of PA, in order to enhance the health of the student population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Ilić
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Huiwen Pang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tomislav Vlaški
- Medical Faculty Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maja Grujičić
- Department of General Education Subjects, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Budimka Novaković
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Hajduk Veljkova 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
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Use of Drugs and Dietary Supplements in University Students of Sports Science: Results of a Survey-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14204267. [PMID: 36296951 PMCID: PMC9610928 DOI: 10.3390/nu14204267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary supplements are used to implement and balance common dietary habits. The general belief is that natural substances reduce the risk of chronic diseases and amplify sports performance with no harmful side effects. Since sports science students will become professionals of sport activities and may also have a role in suggesting the use of dietary supplements to athletes, the aim of this study was to evaluate if physical activity influences the use of drugs and dietary supplements. A modified version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQSF) was administered to perform these evaluations. A total of 1452 students from the University of Messina, Italy, enrolled in sports science courses completed the survey; of these, 1075 (704 male and 371 female students) were physically active in moderate- or high-intensity training. Of those physically active students, 709 (440 male and 269 female) were competitive athletes, identified on the basis of their answer to a specific question also indicating the type of sport they practice. The results suggest that 5.6% of all respondents were regular consumers of pharmaceutical products, compared to just 1.0% of the cohort of competing athletes. In contrast, the consumption of natural supplements was similar (14% vs. 15%) between groups. The most frequently used supplements were vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and multivitamin complex, followed by minerals and amino acids or protein complex. The probability of using dietary supplements was mostly related to the male gender (OR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.17–2.30), having a job (OR 1.45; 95% CI: 1.07–1.96), and, most of all, performing physical activity (OR 3.53; 95% CI: 2.18–5.71). The only factor related to a higher use of drugs was female gender (OR 2.40; 95% CI: 1.52–3.79), and the most used class was antihistaminic, followed by FANS. These results suggest that among the specific population of sports science students, those performing physical activity are less prone to using pharmaceutical products and have healthier habits.
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Orthorexia nervosa and its association with narcissism in fitness center users. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:2155-2163. [PMID: 35103950 PMCID: PMC8804367 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an eating behavior where patients obsessively try to reach health through "purity" of food. Narcissism is a personality trait characterized with the self-belief of grandiosity, importance and need of appreciation. Both of these conditions are connected through self-image in way of reaching perfection through health and body image, whereas one of the ways for reaching it is exercising. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate ON and its possible association with narcissism in fitness center users. METHODS The study included 1017 fitness center users and three questionnaires were used for the assessment: general information, ORTO-R and Narcissistic personality inventory-13 (NPI-13). RESULTS There was a significant negative correlation (r = - 0.467, p < 0.001) between the ORTO-R score and the NPI-13 score. Comparison of the ORTO-R score between different durations of using a fitness center showed statistically significant differences (H = 134.72, p < 0.001). The subjects who are using the fitness center for less than 1 year have the highest ORTO-R score, while those who are using it 1-3 years have the lowest ORTO-R score. Moreover, multiple linear regression showed that ORTO-R score retained significant association with NPI-13 (β ± SE, - 0.416 ± 0.026, p < 0.001) and the duration of using a fitness center (0.576 ± 0.068, p < 0.001) after model adjustment for age and BMI. CONCLUSION These results are implying that fitness center users could possibly be vulnerable of developing ON and that there is a strong association between ON and narcissism in this population. However, future larger-scale longitudinal studies are needed to address these findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level V, cross-sectional survey-based study.
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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137691. [PMID: 35805346 PMCID: PMC9265687 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The student population includes young adults who need nutrition and regular physical activity (PA) for mental, cognitive, and physical development. It is estimated that, globally, only 25–40% of the university student population is involved in regular PA. To date, no research has been conducted in the Western Balkans to address the PA of medical students. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors influencing PA among medical students from the Western Balkans. A cross-sectional study included 2452 students from 14 medical faculties in five countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia). There were significantly more students who engaged than those who did not engage in some type of regular (daily) PA. Gender, overweight or obesity, and household income are significantly associated with students’ PA. Students who are more often involved in regular daily PA and have higher daily PA levels are more likely to be males whose household income is above average. In order to improve the health of the student population, the public health authorities need to continuously investigate the PA of students and introduce appropriate activities to increase their level of PA.
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Martinovic D, Tokic D, Martinovic L, Vilovic M, Vrdoljak J, Kumric M, Bukic J, Ticinovic Kurir T, Tavra M, Bozic J. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Tendency to Orthorexia Nervosa in Professional Athletes. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020237. [PMID: 35057417 PMCID: PMC8779465 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among many lifestyle components that professional athletes have to follow, nutrition is gradually growing to be one of the key factors for achieving and maintaining optimal sport performance. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recognized as one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide; however, data regarding adherence to the MD among professional athletes are still scarce. Moreover, with the imposed need for a healthy diet among professional athletes, orthorexia nervosa (ON) could become a rising issue. This cross-sectional study included 150 professional athletes and 150 matched recreational athletes from Croatia. Four questionnaires were used for the assessment: general information, a test for the diagnosis of ON (ORTO-15), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS). Significantly more professional athletes were adherent to the MD (p < 0.001) and had a tendency to ON (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between the ORTO-15 score and the total MET min/week score (r = −0.524, p < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation between the MDSS score and the total MET min/week score in the professional athlete group (r = 0.478, p < 0.001). All of these results imply that professional athletes are more concentrated on their dietary patterns than recreational athletes, and that due to this dedication, they possibly have a higher adherence to the MD but also possibly a higher risk for developing ON. However, the association between ON and the MD should be further addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinko Martinovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Daria Tokic
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Lovre Martinovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Marino Vilovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Josip Vrdoljak
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Marko Kumric
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Josipa Bukic
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Tina Ticinovic Kurir
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
| | - Marino Tavra
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Josko Bozic
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; (D.M.); (L.M.); (M.V.); (J.V.); (M.K.); (T.T.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-21-557-871; Fax: +385-21-557-905
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The use of Dietary and Protein Supplements by Women Attending Fitness Clubs on a Recreational Basis and an Analysis of the Factors Influencing their Consumption. CENTRAL EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SPORT SCIENCES AND MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.18276/cej.2022.3-03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with the Level of Physical Activity in Fitness Center Users: Croatian-Based Study. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13114038. [PMID: 34836293 PMCID: PMC8625296 DOI: 10.3390/nu13114038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is based on the traditional cuisine of south European countries, and it is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide. The promotion of combined MD and physical activity has shown major benefits. However, the association between physical activity and the MD in regular fitness center users is still insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on 1220 fitness center users in Croatia. The survey consisted of three parts: general information, the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The results showed that 18.6% of fitness center users were adherent to the MD, and there was a significant positive correlation between the level of physical activity and the MDSS score (r = 0.302, p < 0.001). Moreover, after dividing the sample into tertiles based on the IPAQ-SF score, the third tertile (MET > 3150 min/wk) had the most fitness center users (34.4%) adherent to the MD, while the first tertile (MET < 1750 min/wk) had the least (6.1%). These outcomes emphasize the importance of physical activity as they imply that, with higher levels of physical activity, people are also possibly more aware of the importance that a healthy and balanced diet has on their well-being.
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