Abstract
BackgroundOver 50% of adults currently use dietary supplements (DS) but manufacturers do not have to prove the safety or efficacy of a DS before it is marketed. Therefore, consumers may be exposed to inaccurate DS information, may lack confidence in choosing appropriate DS and may seek advice for usage. The objective of this study was to examine trends in usage, attitudes, and sources of information regarding DS according to geographic location, demographic group, and lifestyle choices.MethodsEligible individuals completed a 10-item researcher-developed survey tool to determine DS use, sources of DS information, and DS-related knowledge and attitudes over the previous year. Healthy participants (637 individuals aged 21–75 years) from two population-based cohorts that had been recruited for lipoprotein assessment studies at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and University of California at Davis. Outcome measures included participants’ use, beliefs regarding essentiality of DS, confidence in choosing appropriate DS, and sources of information on DS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were utilized to examine differences in survey responses between groups.ResultsOf the total population 72.7% reported taking dietary supplements in the previous year. Those living on the West Coast (80.3%) had greater use than those living on the East Coast (60.7%). Those on the East Coast were more likely to believe DS were essential to health (48.7%) and to feel confident in choosing DS that were appropriate for them (51.0%). Overall, physicians were the most frequent source of DS information for more than 50% of participants on both coasts.ConclusionBecause DS usage is widespread, health care providers and nutrition educators must encourage patients to discuss their DS use and be equipped to provide information conducive to safe, efficacious consumption. Tailoring interventions for healthcare providers, media sources, industry, and the public may allow for dissemination of up-to-date information regarding DS.
Highlights
Over 50% of adults currently use dietary supplements (DS) but manufacturers do not have to prove the safety or efficacy of a DS before it is marketed
Rates of dietary supplement (DS) usage have increased over the past decades and the National Center for Health Statistics reports over 50% of adults used DS from 2003– 2006 [1]
East vs. West Coast participants Of the participants in this study, 72.7% used DS in the past year. Those on the West Coast were more likely to be supplement users than those on the East Coast (p < 0.001), and those living on the East Coast had a significantly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) (p < 0.001), were less likely to engage in physical activity (p = 0.046), were less likely to consume alcohol (p < 0.001), and were more likely to consume tobacco (p < 0.001) compared with those living on the West Coast
Summary
Over 50% of adults currently use dietary supplements (DS) but manufacturers do not have to prove the safety or efficacy of a DS before it is marketed. The objective of this study was to examine trends in usage, attitudes, and sources of information regarding DS according to geographic location, demographic group, and lifestyle choices. Rates of dietary supplement (DS) usage have increased over the past decades and the National Center for Health Statistics reports over 50% of adults used DS from 2003– 2006 [1]. It is crucial that consumers are adequately informed about DS from reputable sources and to understand how these products may interact with other DS, food, or medications [6]
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