title: Dietary supplements usage among elderly Taiwanese during 2005-2008.
abstract: This study describes dietary supplement consumption practices among the Taiwanese population over the age of 65. Data for the analyses were derived from the 2005-2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. Data from a total of 914 participants (456 men and 458 women) was collected in the study to delineate patterns of supplement usage. The results indicated that the percentage of individuals taking supplements was 45.7% for men and 52.2% for women. There were no significant differences in supplement use by gender, age group, geographic stratum, current employment status, household monthly income, self-reported health status or marital status, except for higher education and adequate perceived financial resources. Half of both men and women chose to take only one supplement. In addition, as the number of supplements taken increased, the number of people decreased. The elderly with higher education levels were more likely to take two kinds of supplements. The top five supplements consumed from highest to lowest were: glucosamine, multivitamins and minerals, calcium, fish oil and vitamin B complex. The major reason for supplements use for men was to supplement an unbalanced diet, and that for women was to prevent joint degeneration. The main factor influencing choice of supplements in the elderly was receiving the supplement as a gift from another person. Note that mean intakes of vitamins A, C, E, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, biotin, niacin, and pantothenic acid from supplements over-exceeded DRIs in Taiwan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Life Science and Health, Chia-Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, 60 Erh-Jen Road, Section 1, 71710, Jen-Te, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. shihying@mail.chna.edu.tw
authors.forename: Shih-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia-Rong
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tzu-Hsiu
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shiou-Guei
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Mei-Ding
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Wen-Harn
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pan
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013624:Taiwan; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils; D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins; D005944:Glucosamine