Estado nutricional e perfil alimentar de mulheres praticantes de musculação no Ginásio Ir Fitness Gym da Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

Introduction: Regular weight training has gained increasing popularity among women in urban and fitness settings, recognized not only for its aesthetic benefits but also for its positive effects on muscle mass, body composition, metabolism, and bone health. Nutritional status and dietary profile are increasingly recognized as objects of study in this type of research. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status and characterize the dietary profile of women practicing weight training at the IR FITNESS GYM in Maputo. Material and Methods: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive- analytical study. Sixty women aged 18 to 62 years old who practiced weight training participated. An instrument developed by the author was used to collect sociodemographic profile, nutritional status, eating habits, and training characteristics of the women. Statistical processing was performed using SPSS 26.0 to obtain the mean, standard deviation, sample size, maximum value, and minimum value. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the relationship between two continuous numerical variables. Results: According to the BMI classification, 43.3% of the women presented with normal weight, 40.0% overweight, and 16.7% obesity; no cases of underweight were observed. There was a predominance of women with a BMI within the normal range and in the overweight range. Weight training was predominantly practiced with a focus on hypertrophy and with adequate frequency to promote consistent physiological adaptations. Supplement use was reported by 51.7% of the participants, with protein supplements being the most consumed, followed by creatine. There was a positive correlation between protein consumption and lean mass, and a negative correlation with body fat percentage, indicating a beneficial effect of protein intake on body composition. Conclusions: Moderately adequate dietary profile. Approximately half reached the recommended protein intake for hypertrophy. Regular training and supplement use were associated with greater protein adequacy. Higher protein intake was associated with greater lean mass and lower body fat percentage.