title: The prevalence of herb and dietary supplement use among children and adolescents in the United States: Results from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to examine the national prevalence of herb and dietary supplement usage among children and adolescents age 4-17 in the United States, and to identify population factors associated with usage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weighted population estimates are derived from the 2007 National Health Interview Child Complementary and Alternative Medicine Supplement (sample n=9417). Wald chi-square tests are used to compare factors associated with herb and dietary supplement use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An estimated 2.9 million children and adolescents used herbs or dietary supplements in 2007. Pediatric herb and supplement use was more common among adolescents and non-Hispanic whites, and positively associated with parental education and household income. Children with activity limitations due to chronic health conditions, long-term prescription use, or relatively heavy use of physician services were also more likely to use herbal supplements. Echinacea and fish oil were most commonly used herbs and supplements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children in the US appear to use herbs or dietary supplements at a much lower rate than adults. This analysis shows a pattern of moderate and appropriate herb and supplement use in the pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. chunghwu@tmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chung-Hsuen
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chi-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jae
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: Children; Dietary supplement; Herbal medicine; Herbs; National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)