Longitudinal trends in use of dietary supplements by U.S. Army personnel differ from those of civilians.
Prevalence and patterns of dietary supplement (DS) use by U.S. Army soldiers differ from the civilian population. Longitudinal trends in use of DSs by civilians have been examined, but are unavailable in subpopulations such as military service members. The present study examined longitudinal changes in DS use by soldiers. A standardized questionnaire on DS use was administered in 2006-2007 (N = 989) and 2010-2011 (N = 1196) to convenience samples of active duty soldiers. Data were weighted for total population demographics of age, sex, and rank. Regular use of DSs by soldiers increased significantly (56% ± 1.6% vs. 64% ± 1.7%; p ≤ 0.001) over the 4 years primarily because of an increase of DS use among the youngest 18- to 24-year-old soldiers (43.0% ± 2.5% vs 62.3% ± 2.4%; p ≤ 0.01). Protein (22% ± 1.4% vs. 26% ± 1.5%; p ≤ 0.001) and combination (10.0% ± 1.0% vs. 24% ± 1.4%; p ≤ 0.001) product consumption also increased over the 4 years. Individual vitamin and mineral use - including iron, magnesium, selenium, and vitamins A, B6, B12, and D - significantly increased as well (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, expenditures on DSs by soldiers increased over time (p < 0.01). Reasons reported by soldiers for DS use suggest use increased to meet the occupational demands of military service. Educational interventions to minimize inappropriate use of DSs by soldiers are necessary to reduce adverse events resulting from unnecessary use of DSs and the financial burden associated with their use.
a Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760, USA.|b Henry Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive #100, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
Krista G
KG
Austin
c Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Lori Lyn
LL
Price
a Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760, USA.
Susan M
SM
McGraw
d TM McLellan Research Inc., 25 Dorman Drive, Stouffville, ON L4A 8A7, Canada.
Tom M
TM
McLellan
a Military Nutrition Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, 10 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760, USA.
Harris R
HR
Lieberman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D055815:Young Adult
D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins
Armed Forces; Forces armées; exercice physique; exercise; militaire; military; mineral; minéraux; protein; protéines; vitamin; vitamines