Patterns of dietary supplement use among college students

Authors

Harris R. Lieberman, Military Nutrition Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA 01760, USA. Electronic address: harris.lieberman@us.army.mil.
Bernadette P. Marriott, Samueli Institute, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA; Abt Associates, Inc., Durham, NC 27703, USA; Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Christianna Williams, Abt Associates, Inc., Durham, NC 27703, USA; Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Daniel A. Judelson, Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA.
Ellen L. Glickman, Department of Exercise Physiology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
Paula J. Geiselman, Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.
Laura Dotson, Samueli Institute, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.
Caroline R. Mahoney

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dietary supplements (DS) are popular in many countries but little data are available on their use by sub-populations such as college students. Since students share a variety of characteristics and similar lifestyles, their DS use may differ from the general population. This study assessed DS use, factors associated with DS use, and reasons for use among U.S. college students. METHODS: College students (N = 1248) at 5 U.S. universities were surveyed. Survey questions included descriptive demographics, types and frequency of DS used, reasons for use and money spent on supplements. Supplements were classified using standard criteria. Logistic regression analyses examined relationships between demographic and lifestyle factors and DS use. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of college students surveyed used DS at least once a week, while 12% consumed 5 or more supplements a week. Forty-two percent used multivitamins/multiminerals, 18% vitamin C, 17% protein/amino acids and 13% calcium at least once a week. Factors associated with supplement use included dietary patterns, exercise, and tobacco use. Students used supplements to promote general health (73%), provide more energy (29%), increase muscle strength (20%), and enhance performance (19%). CONCLUSIONS: College students appear more likely to use DS than the general population and many use multiple types of supplements weekly. Habits established at a young age persist throughout life. Therefore, longitudinal research should be conducted to determine whether patterns of DS use established early in adulthood are maintained throughout life. Adequate scientific justification for widespread use of DS in healthy, young populations is lacking.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)

First Page

976

Last Page

85

Recommended Citation

Lieberman, H. R., Marriott, B. P., Williams, C., Judelson, D. A., Glickman, E. L., Geiselman, P. J., Dotson, L., & Mahoney, C. R. (2015). Patterns of dietary supplement use among college students. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 34 (5), 976-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2014.10.010