Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors are associated with the use of dietary supplements in a Korean population.
OBJECTIVE
The use of dietary supplements has been increasing rapidly in Korea over the last decade. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the pattern of dietary supplement use and the sociodemographic/lifestyle characteristics of Korean consumers.


METHODS
Participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire on their sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, perceived health status, and regular dietary supplement use.


RESULTS
A total of 697 men and 832 women completed the questionnaire. Of the respondents, 44.3% of the men and 53.2% of the women used some kind of dietary supplement regularly. Dietary supplement users were more likely to be women (P < 0.001), to be older than 50 years (P < 0.001), to have a higher household income (P = 0.003), to engage in moderate or vigorous physical activity (P < 0.032), to perceive themselves as healthy (P = 0.026), and to have received a diagnosis of a chronic disease (P < 0.001). In addition, the type of dietary supplements used varied with respect to sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Among dietary supplement users, men preferred ginseng, and older respondents were more likely to use carbohydrate supplements and less likely to use lipid supplements. Those who had a lower BMI, were ex-smokers, or were nondrinkers preferred either vitamins or minerals. Those who were highly physical active or were nondrinkers tended to prefer either vitamin/mineral complexes or carbohydrate supplements.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of dietary supplements was related to sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in a Korean population.
Kim
Jeongseon
J
Cancer Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. jskim@ncc.re.kr
Lee
Jung-Sug
JS
Shin
Aesun
A
Kang
Myung-Hee
MH
Shin
Dong-Soon
DS
Chung
Hae-Rang
HR
Kim
Woo-Kyoung
WK
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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