Protein and college males: knowledge, behaviors, and recommendations (633.3)

Abstract

To determine protein knowledge, dietary practices, and intakes compared to recommendations, a convenience sample of non‐athlete college males (n=50), 18‐24 years old, completed 7 day dietary and physical activity records; accelerometer assessments; anthropometric assessments; knowledge and demographic surveys; and interviews. Eighteen percent of males had protein intakes below the AMDR and 0% were above the AMDR. Fourteen percent consumed less than 0.8 gm/kg and 16% consumed over 2 gm/kg. Twenty percent sought protein information from the Internet (primarily from bodybuilding.com), 20% from word of mouth, and 10% from classes. Twenty‐four percent thought they should be consuming one gram per pound of bodyweight. When asked how many grams of protein they thought they needed a day, based on grams they reported and measured body weight, 29% estimated their protein needs within a range of 0.8‐2.0 gm/kg, 22% estimated over 2 gm/kg, 29% estimated under 0.8 gm/kg, and 20% did not know how much they needed. Based on these findings, many non‐athlete college males are misinformed on protein needs, seek information from potentially unreliable sources, and may not be consuming optimal amounts of protein.