title: Adherence to a vitamin D supplement intervention in urban schoolchildren.
abstract: Vitamin D supplementation is an important strategy for preventing low levels of serum 25OHD and improving bone health and consequent associated health risks, especially in children at risk of deficiency. Although vitamin D supplements are recommended, there is limited research on the factors that influence adherence to taking them. In a cross-sectional sample of 256 child (aged 9 to 15 years) and parent pairs in the Boston, MA, area during January to March 2012, analysis of covariance was used to determine associations between health beliefs about vitamin D, parental vitamin D-containing supplement use, and the individual responsible for pill administration with supplement adherence measured by pill counts. Mean and median supplement pill count adherence over 3 months were 84% and 89%, respectively. Adherence was positively associated with parents' use of vitamin D-containing supplements (7% higher, P=0.008) and with combined child and parent responsibility for administration of the supplement compared with child only (9% higher, P=0.03). Parents' beliefs about vitamin D neither predicted their children's beliefs nor positively influenced children's adherence. Adherence was higher when parents took vitamin D-containing supplements and when parents and children shared responsibility for administering the supplement. Promoting child supplement use through parent involvement and role modeling may be a practical solution for registered dietitians who are aiming to improve vitamin D adherence in at-risk youth.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Susan S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.forename: Johanna T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sacheck
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010290:Parents; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: Adherence; Children; Parents; Supplementation; Vitamin D