Use of nonprescription dietary supplements for weight loss is common among Americans.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary supplements are not recommended as part of a weight-loss program due to concerns about efficacy and safety. This study sought to assess prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health care professional, and specific ingredient use.


METHODS
Adults aged > or =18 years (n=9,403) completed a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of health behaviors from September 2002 through December 2002.


METHODS
Both chi2 and t tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons and multiple variable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors.


RESULTS
An estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%). In regression models, use was equally prevalent among race/ethnic groups and education levels. One in 10 (10.2%) of users reported > or =12 month use, with less frequent long-term use in women (7.7%) than men (15.0%), P=0.01. Almost one third (30.2%) of users discussed use during the past year; 73.8% used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine, and/or bitter orange.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of supplements for losing weight seems to be common among many segments of the US adult population. Many adults are long-term users and most do not discuss this practice with their physician. Most of the weight-loss supplements taken contain stimulants. Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as to dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.
Blanck
Heidi Michels
HM
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. hblanck@cdc.gov
Serdula
Mary K
MK
Gillespie
Cathleen
C
Galuska
Deborah A
DA
Sharpe
Patricia A
PA
Conway
Joan M
JM
Khan
Laura Kettel
LK
Ainsworth
Barbara E
BE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012449:Safety; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents