The negative health assessment and the different consumption of dietary supplements

Abstract

Abstract Background There is an insufficient level of research carried on the consumption of dietary supplements among diverse social and demographic groups, especially among those with a negative assessment of personal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the consumption of dietary supplements among working-age residents of Lithuania in the period from 2021 to 2023 with respect to social and demographic factors and the assessment of personal health. Materials and methods The data for this study were collected after conducting three independent cross-sectional surveys in 2021, in 2022, and in 2023. Each of the samples included 1600 working-age adult residents of Lithuania. Distribution of the respondents by the assessment of personal health and gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income, and COVID-19 cases among the respondents and members of their families was assessed. Results The consumption of dietary supplements differed each year and accounted for 78.1%, 71.6%, and 72.7% of the respondents, respectively (p < 0.05). In 2022, the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements was lower in the majority of social and demographic groups (p < 0.05). In 2023, it was higher among females, younger residents, and those from larger families, who suffered from COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Despite similar changes found in the consumption of dietary supplements among those who negatively assessed their health, this group showed more prevalent consumption of dietary supplements among residents with non-university education, unemployed respondents, and those with lower income (p < 0.05). Conclusions Despite a significantly lower prevalence in the consumption of dietary supplements in 2022, it was higher again in 2023. A negative assessment of personal health is associated with opposite tendencies in the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements in the general population. Key messages • Despite a significantly lower prevalence in the consumption of dietary supplements in 2022, it was higher again in 2023. • The negative assessment of personal health should be taken into account when planning nutritional interventions due to its association with different consumption of dietary supplements.