Objectives: To study physical activity and dietary intake of adults undergoing supervised physical activity at gymnasium.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 98 adults (48 females) with mean age of 24.5±3.6 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding type of physical activity and number of sets of each equipment/ machine performed. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Nutrient intake was assessed. Analyses were performed using SPSS software for Windows (version 25, 2017, IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, United State) and other relevant statistical tests were used. p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results: More than 80% of adults were involved in treadmill, cycling, bench press, cables and pulleys, leg extension, leg press, kettlebells/ dumbbells and pull down. Less than 50% participants did hack squat, stability balls and foam roller. Higher percentage of males did bench press, leg press, hack squat, peck deck, pull down and rope workout as compared to females (p<0.05). Females (21±8 minutes) spent significantly higher time on treadmill as compared to males (17±8 minutes) (p=0.009). There was a significant difference in the number of sets performed of bench press and cables and pulleys with higher number of sets performed by males than females (p<0.05). Significantly higher percentage of males [22 (44%)] consumed nutritional/ protein supplements as compared to females [8 (16.7%)] (χ2=8.614, p=0.003). 31% participants consumed >1g/kg body weight of proteins. Protein intake/ kg body weight was significantly higher in males (0.99±0.27g/kg) than females (0.84±0.16g/kg) (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation of intake of nutritional/ protein supplement with energy (rpb=0.246), proteins (rpb=0.272) and carbohydrates (rpb=0.221) with group taking supplements having higher nutrient intake.

Conclusion: Dietary nutrient intake is influenced by right choice of foods included in the daily diet and the life style pattern. All adults in the study were involved in some form of muscle building exercises. Despite heavy muscle building exercises, protein intake was less than adequate in majority of adults attending gymnasium. Dietary modification such as moderate carbohydrates, low fat (good quality) and sufficient protein intake through diet are recommended. But as our Indians diets are deficient in protein intake, the use of protein supplements is suggested to avoid injuries during exercises.