title: Reasons given by homebound older adults living in a large midwestern city for taking or not taking vitamin and mineral supplements.
abstract: The prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplement usage in a group of homebound older adults in a large Midwestern city and their motivation for supplement use or nonuse were evaluated. Sixty-one selected homebound individuals 60 years and older from three assistance programs for older adults participated in the study. Forty-seven percent reported taking vitamin or mineral supplements, and of these 93% were taking a multivitamin supplement. Most participants received their information regarding supplements from a health care professional, generally a physician. For those not taking supplements, the most common reason given was the absence of a prescription/recommendation. For those taking supplements, the most common reason given was that supplements were prescribed/recommended.
authors.affiliation: Bayer Healthcare, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Minor
authors.forename: Judy A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Driskell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D014815:Vitamins