title: Nutritional supplement use by patients in a rural family practice.
abstract: The use of nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals) has been reported to be as high as 66% for individuals and 54% for households. Among medical patients in metropolitan areas, 66% of suburban private patients and 31% of urban clinic patients use supplements. Reported here are results of a survey to assess the use of nutritional supplements by rural family medicine patients. A sample of patients (N = 199) in one practice completed a standardized questionnaire, and 54% reported that they had taken supplements (primarily multivitamins) during the previous 6 months. The desire to assure good nutrition and less fatigue were the major reasons cited for supplement use; 50% were daily users, and 42% had used supplements for longer than 3 years.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012423:Rural Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins