Impacto do consumo de proteínas em parâmetros dietéticos e antropométricos de praticantes de exercício físico

Abstract

Protein intake is often overestimated among individuals who engage in physical exercise and seek to increase lean body mass. This study aimed to evaluate protein consumption and its impact on anthropometric and dietary measures of physical exercise practitioners treated at the Nutrition School Clinic of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus (UFJF-GV). This was a retrospective, documentary, quantitative, and descriptive study. The study was conducted based on the analysis of medical records of patients treated from November 2022 to August 2023 in the extension project on nutrition for physical exercise practitioners, athletes, and sportspeople at the UFJF-GV Nutrition School Clinic. The retrospective analysis of the medical records assessed data such as sex, education, recent weight change, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleep quality, disease history, medication use, food intolerances and/or allergies, gastrointestinal discomfort, bowel function, water intake, supplement use, consumption of sweets, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. Dietary intake data were obtained from a 24-hour recall (R24h) and three food diaries (DA). BMI, arm, waist, hip, calf, and abdominal circumferences, as well as triceps, biceps, subscapular, and supra iliac skinfolds, were evaluated. The participants were divided into MORE PROTEIN and LESS PROTEIN groups based on protein intake greater or less than 1.7g/kg, respectively. Qualitative data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, while quantitative data were analyzed using the t-test, considering p<0.05. Participants were divided based on protein intake, with 46.7% consuming more than 1.7 g/kg of protein according to the R24h. The majority were female (66.6%); however, the male participants consumed more protein according to the R24h. Although not statistically significant, sweet consumption was higher in the group with lower protein intake (33.3%). There was a higher consumption of supplements by the MORE PROTEIN group, but not a statistically significant difference. Creatine was the most consumed supplement in both groups. Participants with higher protein intake had lower body fat, hip circumference, and sum of skinfolds, but no difference in lean body mass was observed. Caloric and carbohydrate intake was significantly higher in the higher protein intake group according to R24h data, but these results were not confirmed in the average of the DA. The findings showed that protein consumption above 1.7 g/kg was associated with lower body fat measures, without significantly increasing lean body mass. This result may be explained not only by higher protein intake but also by the fact that the group consuming more protein also had more balanced caloric and carbohydrate intake in line with their nutritional needs, along with lower consumption of high-calorie foods.