Abstract
BackgroundA variety of dietary supplements are commercially available. However, the efficacy and safety of dietary supplement use in children are not well established. Understanding dietary supplement use is important for developing public health policy regarding dietary supplements. This study aimed to investigate the types of dietary supplements used and characteristics of dietary supplement users among Japanese elementary school children.MethodWe conducted a cross-sectional web-based questionnaire study. Dietary supplement use, socio-demographics, and health-related behaviors were assessed through mother-reported questionnaire. Types of dietary supplements were identified based on ingredient using product barcodes and brand names. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the socio-demographics and health-related behaviors associated with supplement use.ResultsAmong 4933 children, 333 (6.8%) were identified as dietary supplement users. The most common supplement was amino acids or protein (1.4%), followed by n–3 fatty acids or fish oil (1.0%), probiotics (1.0%), multivitamins (0.9%), multivitamin-minerals (0.8%), and botanicals (0.8%). Overall, any dietary supplement use was significantly associated with the highest frequency of sports participation (odds ratio [OR], 2.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.65–4.02), highest household income (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.13–3.10), highest maternal educational level (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.31–2.52), and male sex (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09–1.75). The highest frequency of sports participation was significantly associated with higher odds of use of amino acids or protein (OR, 6.06; 95% CI, 1.78–20.6) and multivitamins (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.11–11.5), compared to the lowest frequency of sports participation.ConclusionThis study showed that Japanese children primarily use non-vitamin, non-mineral supplements. Non-vitamin, non-mineral supplements should thus be included in future studies aimed at monitoring dietary supplement use. We also found that dietary supplement use in children was associated with sports participation. Guidelines for dietary supplement use for children, in particular sport participants, are needed.
Highlights
Nutrient intake in children and adolescents can influence growth and the risk of non-communicable diseases when they become adults [1]
Nonvitamin, non-mineral supplements should be included in future studies aimed at monitoring dietary supplement use
We found that dietary supplement use in children was associated with sports participation
Summary
Nutrient intake in children and adolescents can influence growth and the risk of non-communicable diseases when they become adults [1]. Peak bone mass during adolescence is associated with osteoporosis in later life [2]. Research suggests that adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D during childhood and adolescence is associated with higher peak bone mass [2]. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during childhood may have preventive effect of future osteoporosis. That intake of some nutrients including calcium, iron, and vitamin A from food is insufficient to meet the respective Dietary Reference Intake in a substantial number of children from a certain population [5, 6]. Dietary supplement use can result in excessive intake of some vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A and iron [7]. This study aimed to investigate the types of dietary supplements used and characteristics of dietary supplement users among Japanese elementary school children
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