Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Bodybuilding Trainers in Ahwaz, Iran

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of male and female bodybuilding trainers in Ahwaz, one of the 7 major cities of Iran. KAP questionnaires which contained information about nutrients, food groups, using of supplements and ergogenic aids, were completed by trainers. Sixty three certified male bodybuilding trainers (37.9 ± 2.7 y) and 30 certified female trainers (37.3 ± 8.1 y) were recruited from all clubs of the city. All of the male and 47% of the female trainers have prescribed diet program for their trainees (P<0.001) and it showed that there was a significant (P<0.001) relationship between their diet prescription and their educational degrees. None of the female trainers neither use nor advise anabolic hormones such as Nandrolon; however 62% of the male trainers have advised hormones to their trainees while only 50% of them use hormones themselves. 96.8% of the trainers did not know that minerals and 88.2% did not know water are essential nutrients; and more than 90% did not realize that fat and sugars are as food groups. The training courses and educational levels of trainers are positively related to their practices. All of the trainers need more theoretical and applied nutritional education.