[Factors influenced vitamin or mineral supplements use in a chosen group of children aged 6-12].
BACKGROUND
Due to growing popularity of food supplements the producers of such products introduce food supplements developed especially for children. This, as a consequence, may lead to a risk of exceeded intake of some nutrients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify determinants of vitamin/mineral supplements intake in 6-12-year-old children.


METHODS
The study was conducted by questionnaire method among parents of 743 children attending primary schools. Dietary supplements during the year preceding the survey received 40% of children, while 16.7% on the tested day.


RESULTS
It was found that women with secondary and higher education level more frequently reported use of such preparations by their children (43% and 40% respectively). Supplements received more children with moderate or slight deficient body weight (54.2%) compared to children with severe deficiency (29.7%) or obese (25.8%); children with chronic diseases (56%) compared to healthy (37%), participating in extracurricular sport activities (49%) compared to non-participating (35%) and children with more correct dietary habits. Simultaneously supplements and fortified products were used by 34% of children.


CONCLUSIONS
. The decision of supplements use parents often undertook alone (67% of preparation), while only 31% of them after medical consultation. There is a need to educate children and their parents about the use of supplements and the risks associated with it.
Katedra Zywienia Człowieka Wydział Nauk o Zywieniu Człowieka i Konsumpcji Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie. justyna_bylinowska@sggw.pl
Justyna
J
Bylinowska
Olga
O
Januszko
Katarzyna
K
Rolf
Ewa
E
Sicińska
Joanna
J
Kałuza
Barbara
B
Pietruszka
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins