Consumption and knowledge of dietary supplements among young adult women in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Dietary supplements containing essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs are widely used to enhance overall nutrition and health. This study aimed to assess the consumption patterns and knowledge of dietary supplements among young adult women in Lahore, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted over three months at Lahore College for Women University; young adult women aged 18 to 25 years who were enrolled in any bachelor’s degree program were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The following data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire: demographic information, supplement usage, and perceptions. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 to calculate frequencies and percentages. Of the 333 questionnaires distributed, 303 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 90.99%. The mean age of the 303 participants was 23.06 ± 0.058 years, with 98.35% being unmarried. Most participants reported a monthly household income between 50,001 and 75,000 PKR (73.59%) and were predominantly in their fourth (44.22%) or fifth year (43.56%) of study, mainly in health sciences disciplines (72.28%). A majority (83.80%) reported taking dietary supplements, primarily for health enhancement (58.66%), improving bone and joint health (32.68%), and increasing muscle mass (37.01%). Supplements were mostly purchased from pharmacies (85.04%) and taken under the advice of doctors or nutritionists (74.80%). Common supplements included vitamins, calcium, and multivitamins, with most participants taking one supplement at a time (84.25%) and consuming them daily (35.04%) or 2-3 times per week (27.95%). Notably, 72.44% perceived benefits from taking supplements, and 49.61% intended to repurchase them. Concerns about potential side effects or interactions were also substantial (58.66%). This study revealed that young adult women in Pakistan frequently use dietary supplements for various health benefits, primarily by purchasing them from pharmacies and following healthcare professional advice. Despite positive perceptions and intentions to repurchase, concerns about safety and interactions remain.