Dietary Supplement Use Among Moroccan Athletes: Knowledge Gaps and Unsupervised Practices

What's new

A cross-sectional study conducted among 1,094 athletes from 14 national sports federations in Morocco investigated their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding dietary supplements (DSs) [1]. The research found that 38.1% of these athletes reported using dietary supplements. A significant finding was that nearly half of the athletes surveyed were unaware of the potential risks associated with DS use. Furthermore, only 27.3% of DS users reported doing so under the supervision of a medical or nutritional professional, indicating a widespread lack of professional guidance in their supplement choices and consumption [1].

The study also identified several factors associated with DS use. Athletes aged 28–32 years and those who had previously consulted a healthcare professional were more likely to use supplements. Conversely, athletes training fewer than five hours per week and those who did not believe DSs were essential for performance improvement were less likely to use them [1]. These findings suggest that while some athletes seek professional advice, a substantial portion still operates with limited knowledge and supervision, raising concerns about potential health and ethical implications, including the risk of unintentional doping.

The science behind it

The study employed a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey design, collecting data between December 2023 and October 2024 through both online and face-to-face questionnaires [1]. The sample consisted of athletes from various national sports federations, selected using a convenience sampling method. Statistical analyses, including bivariate tests (χ²) and multivariate analyses (binary logistic regression), were performed to identify prevalence rates and associated factors [1].

The prevalence of DS use was determined to be 38.1%, with no significant difference observed between male and female athletes. The primary motivation for supplement use among 52% of users was performance enhancement [1]. The logistic regression model, based on a subset of 366 complete cases, indicated that age (28–32 years, OR=2.75) and prior consultation with a healthcare professional (OR=3.38) were positively associated with DS use. Factors negatively associated with use included training less than five hours per week (OR=0.48) and not considering DSs essential for performance (OR=0.43) [1]. The model demonstrated acceptable discrimination (AUC=0.77), suggesting its ability to distinguish between users and non-users to a reasonable extent.

What it means in practice

The findings underscore a critical need for targeted educational interventions among Moroccan athletes regarding dietary supplements. The high prevalence of unsupervised use and the lack of awareness about potential risks suggest that many athletes may be making uninformed decisions that could impact their health or lead to inadvertent anti-doping rule violations [1]. Educational programs should focus on informing athletes about the benefits and risks of various supplements, the importance of professional consultation, and the potential for contamination or mislabeling that could result in unintentional doping.

For sports federations and anti-doping agencies, these results highlight the importance of integrating comprehensive nutritional guidance and anti-doping education into athlete development programs. Encouraging athletes to consult with qualified sports nutritionists or medical professionals before using any supplement could mitigate risks. The study's identification of specific demographic and behavioral factors associated with DS use could help tailor these educational strategies to reach the most relevant athlete groups effectively [1].

Caveats

This study utilized a convenience sample from 14 national sports federations, which means the findings may not be fully representative of all athletes across Morocco [1]. The exploratory nature of the study also suggests that while the identified associations are significant, they warrant further investigation with nationally representative samples to confirm and generalize these observations. The reliance on self-reported data for supplement use and knowledge could also introduce recall bias or social desirability bias, where athletes might underreport or overreport certain behaviors or knowledge levels [1].

Additionally, the study's cross-sectional design means it can identify associations but cannot establish causality. While factors like age and healthcare consultation were linked to supplement use, the study does not explain why these associations exist or if they directly cause changes in supplement habits [1]. Future research employing longitudinal designs and broader, more randomized sampling methods would provide a more comprehensive understanding of dietary supplement practices among athletes in Morocco.

Source: [1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-69912-6