Pilot study of dietary supplement consumption by elderly people

Abstract

Introduction: Diet affects the proper function of human body and plays an important role in the preventionof many diseases. In the elderly, some body functions, including nutrition, are impaired, so it is important toconsider dietary supplements at this time. Consumption of dietary supplements by the elderly has becomecommon in recent years. In addition, the global ageing process has accelerated significantly in recent decades.Currently, on the food market, there are many dietary supplements dedicated to the elderly. Manufacturersof these products are able to perfectly recognize the special nutritional needs of the elderly, which results inthe creation of new lines of modern products.Objective: The purpose of the study was to analyse the use of dietary supplements administered in theelderly, improvement of seniors’ knowledge on dietary supplements and investigation of their awarenessabout the risks associated with such products.Methods: The study was conducted by questionnaire method among 302 elderly people in two provincesof Poland. Additionally, dietary supplements offered at various retail outlets were reviewed (53), as well aspublic warnings published by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate in Poland that addressed the risks with dietarysupplements (10).Results: The questionnaire was completed by 302 respondents (217 females, 85 males). The age of therespondents was distributed as follows: 32.45% aged 65–74, 44. % aged 75–79, 23.17% aged ≥80. Dietarysupplements consumed by seniors or widely offered in the food market mainly include ingredients asfollows: plant preparations, vitamins and minerals, electrolytes. Significantly more women have been takingdietary supplements (72%), compared to men (36%). Simultaneous administration of two or more productswas declared by 71.9% of respondents. Unfortunately, only 21% of respondents recognized any risks ofconsuming dietary supplements.Conclusion: The use of dietary supplements among elderly people has definitely increased lately. Thequestionnaire shows that approximately 86% of respondents have consumed dietary supplements at leastonce in their life, while 14% of respondents have never used these products. The survey demonstrates thatthere is a need of the continued education of the elderly about dietary supplementation and the dangers ofuncontrolled consumption of different types of supplements.