Evaluation of knowledge in nutrition habits and food intake in physical education professionals in the town of Guarapuava. - Parana

Introduction: Physical activity is enhanced by optimal nutrition. The professional physical educators are in direct contact with students, clients and tend to guide them nutritionally; even this is not their duties. The research aimed to evaluate the knowledge on nutrition for physical educators and professionals providing nutrition guidelines for the same. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 30 professional physical educators aged between 21 and 37 years. Nutritional status was assessed using the percentage of body fat (% BF). The assessment of food consumption was obtained by the usual food diary. The nutritional knowledge and possible nutritional guidelines was evaluated by a specific questionnaire. Results: According to GC were classified 30% (n = 9) as healthy individuals and 40% (n = 12) as overweight and obesity. The food consumption of groups of fruits, vegetables and milk and dairy products did not meet the minimum recommendations and consumption of protein foods than the recommendation. In the assessment of knowledge and indications for supplementation, 77 % of participants scored between 50 and 66 % correct and 60 % of professionals are indications for supplementation to their students even though this is not one of his duties, unless they enable to such. Conclusion: It was found that professional physical educators mostly had a diagnosis of normal weight, food intake was not adequate and nutritional knowledge, most achieved above 50 % accuracy and also perform indication supplementation.