Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation

Kübra Nur Göğüs Güngör; Burcu Uslu; Müveddet Emel Alphan

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1915205

Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether sports nutrition knowledge predicts dietary supplement beliefs among fitness center attendees and whether knowledge is reflected in actual nutrient intakes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 193 adults (106 women, 87 men; mean age 23.80 ± 6.18 years) attending a university-affiliated fitness center in Istanbul, Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Sports Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire, the Sports Dietary Supplement Belief Scale, and a 24-hour dietary recall evaluated against TÜBER 2022. Chi-square, ANOVA, multiple linear regression, hierarchical regression, binary logistic regression, and partial correlation were used. Results: Of participants, 77.2% had poor sports nutrition knowledge. Supplement beliefs did not differ by knowledge level in women (F = 0.918, p = 0.435) or men (F = 1.07, p = 0.365). Knowledge did not predict supplement beliefs in regression (β = −0.032, p = 0.684); hierarchical contribution was negligible (ΔR² = 0.003, p = 0.437). Partial correlation was near zero (r = −0.057, p = 0.432). Previous supplement use was the only predictor of moderate-or-higher knowledge (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.15–2.61, p = 0.009). When compared with TÜBER 2022 reference values, daily cholesterol and sodium intakes exceeded recommended levels, whereas vitamins A, D, and thiamine were below recommended intakes in both sexes. Only vitamin A intake was predicted by knowledge (p = 0.025). Conclusion: Among university-affiliated fitness center attendees, sports nutrition knowledge and dietary supplement beliefs were largely independent. Fitness participation alone did not ensure dietary adequacy in this population. Interventions targeting this group should combine evidence-based nutrition education with belief-focused counseling approaches.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Istanbul Atlas University Non-Interventional Scientific Research Ethics Committee, 22 December 2023, Decision No. 10/39.

Thanks

A preliminary version of this work was presented as a poster at the XI. International Nutrition and Dietetics Congress, Ankara, Türkiye.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nutrition, Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetics (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Kübra Nur Göğüs Güngör
0009-0000-1058-4415
Türkiye

Burcu Uslu ^*
0000-0002-6371-6562
Türkiye

Müveddet Emel Alphan
0000-0002-9702-1881
Türkiye

Publication Date

May 18, 2026

Submission Date

March 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: April, May, June 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1915205

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA83TA95YN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Göğüs Güngör, K. N., Uslu, B., & Alphan, M. E. (2026). Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1915205

AMA

1.Göğüs Güngör KN, Uslu B, Alphan ME. Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1915205

Chicago

Göğüs Güngör, Kübra Nur, Burcu Uslu, and Müveddet Emel Alphan. 2026. “Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (April, May, June 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1915205.

EndNote

Göğüs Güngör KN, Uslu B, Alphan ME (May 1, 2026) Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 April, May, June 2026

IEEE

[1]K. N. Göğüs Güngör, B. Uslu, and M. E. Alphan, “Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation”, Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi: 10.31067/acusaglik.1915205.

ISNAD

Göğüs Güngör, Kübra Nur - Uslu, Burcu - Alphan, Müveddet Emel. “Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/April, May, June 2026 (May 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1915205.

JAMA

1.Göğüs Güngör KN, Uslu B, Alphan ME. Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026;17. doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1915205.

MLA

Göğüs Güngör, Kübra Nur, et al. “Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation”. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. April, May, June 2026, May 2026, doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1915205.

Vancouver

1.Kübra Nur Göğüs Güngör, Burcu Uslu, Müveddet Emel Alphan. Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Supplement Beliefs Among Fitness Center Attendees: Evidence of a Knowledge–Belief Dissociation. Acibadem Univ Saglik Bilim Derg. 2026 May 1;17(April, May, June 2026). doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1915205