Abstract
Background: The use of nutritional supplements (NS) by adolescents seems to be an escalating problem in South Africa. Any supplementary product ingested to boost the nutritional content of a normal diet to either fill a need or presumed deficiency, including any sports or energy drink, tablets or injections, are deemed as NS for the purpose of this study. Parents seem to agree that children who play sport are allowed to use NS to assist them to perform better, without knowledge of the health risks associated with these products. Despite information on websites and information sessions arranged by schools, parents seem to disregard advice given to them by experts. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes and level of knowledge of parents of children on the East Rand with regard to NS usage. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which used a previously validated, self-administered questionnaire for the parents (n = 198). It also included an interview with a focus group consisting of coaches and administrative staff (n = 9) representing each sports code selected for the purpose of this study. The data were analysed using largely descriptive statistics. Results: Nine percent of parents indicated that they considered themselves well informed with regard to NS; 13% indicated that they would support their children in obtaining NS without efficacy being proven and 75% indicated their awareness of the risk of NS being contaminated. Coaches viewed the role of parents as integral regarding a healthy diet but indicated that the use of NS could not be ignored, also admitting to a lack in knowledge regarding NS. Conclusion: Parents and coaches demonstrated limited knowledge regarding NS. Their knowledge was formed from information on labels and the internet. Parents have a positive attitude towards the use of NS by their children despite indicating an awareness of the health risks related to NS usage.
Highlights
The use of nutritional supplements (NS) by adolescents seems to be an escalating problem in South Africa
Parents’ opinions and attitudes towards the use of NS and factors influencing the usage (Table 1) A large group of parents (75%) indicated that they were aware of the risk that prohibited substances could contaminate NS, 68% agreed that the use of NS could act as a gateway drug and 92% indicated a substantial need for education programmes on NS
Eighty-one percent of respondents indicated that the use of NS improved performance and 26% that their children needed the edge that NS added to the diet
Summary
The use of nutritional supplements (NS) by adolescents seems to be an escalating problem in South Africa. Parents seem to agree that children who play sport are allowed to use NS to assist them to perform better, without knowledge of the health risks associated with these products. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which used a previously validated, self-administered questionnaire for the parents (n = 198). It included an interview with a focus group consisting of coaches and administrative staff (n = 9) representing each sports code selected for the purpose of this study. Conclusion: Parents and coaches demonstrated limited knowledge regarding NS. Parents have a positive attitude towards the use of NS by their children despite indicating an awareness of the health risks related to NS usage.
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