Popularity and Perceptions of Protein Supplementation: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Undergraduate University Students Aged 18 to 25 Years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background And Aim:  Young adults, particularly those aged 18-25, exhibit varying perceptions and choices regarding the use of protein supplements (PS). Understanding these perceptions can significantly enhance professional guidance and nutrition education for undergraduate students. This study, conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aims to explore the perceptions of PS use and identify the most popular PS among university students.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved young adults aged 18-25 of both genders. A validated online questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, United States). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC) approved the study protocol.

Results:  A total of 740 participants (430 females (58.1%) and 310 males (41.9%)) were included in the study. Around 17% reported using PS, with males being the primary users (65 (51.6%)). Protein powder was the most popular protein supplement (48 (38.1%)), followed by a combination of protein powder, protein bars, and fortified foods (42 (33.3%)). Age, gender, and family income significantly influenced protein supplement use (p<0.05). Males preferred a combination of protein powder and fortified food. Significant gender differences were observed in the choice of protein supplement type (p=0.001). Perceptions of PS were influenced by friends, family, doctors, pharmacists, social media, and the internet. However, the majority of participants indicated a need for more awareness regarding PS.

Conclusion:  The study underscores the need for improved professional guidance and nutrition education for young adults, particularly in addressing misconceptions and gender differences in protein supplement use.