Abstract
Dietary supplement use is widespread among adults across races/ethnicities, yet reasons
for use can vary across these groups. The Supplement Reporting (SURE) study quantified
dietary supplement use and reasons for taking supplements in a multiethnic sample
of adults who took at least one supplement. This study explored sociodemographic differences,
including by race/ethnicity, associated with specific reasons/motivations for taking
dietary supplements, including perceived importance of taking supplements relative
to prescription medications. The study time period was March 2005 to August 2006.
Participants (n=397) were older adults (ages 52 to 88 years) recruited from the Multiethnic
Cohort Study in Hawaii and Los Angeles, CA, with equal representation of males and
females from six ethnic groups (ie, white, Japanese American, Native Hawaiian, African
American, US-born Latino, and foreign-born Latino). Subgroups of participants were
compared by χ2 tests and logistic regression. The most common reasons for taking supplements were
to maintain a healthy life, because they were recommended by a health professional,
and to prevent a disease/medical problem. A majority (76%) of participants reported
that their dietary supplements were as important as prescription medications, with
foreign-born Latinos and Japanese Americans being most likely to state this belief.
The relative importance of supplements was not associated with excessive use, but
27% of participants exceeded the upper limit for a nutrient. It is crucial for health
professionals to better understand why individuals take supplements and the importance
that they attach to their use. This information could lead to better monitoring and
education efforts to prevent overuse of supplements and possible interactions with
medications.
Keywords
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Biography
C. L. Albright is an associate professor, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene and Prevention and Control Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
Biography
S. M. Schembre is a junior researcher, Prevention and Control Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, and Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Biography
A. D. Steffen is an assistant professor, Office of Public Health Studies, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI.
Biography
L. R. Wilkens is a professor, Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
Biography
K. M. Yonemori is a research dietitian/nutritionist, Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
Biography
S. P. Murphy is professor emeritus, Epidemiology Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
Biography
K. R. Monroe is an assistant professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 19, 2012
Accepted:
April 12,
2012
Footnotes
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT This study was funded by grant R01 CA106744 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Cancer and NIH/Office of Dietary Supplements Institute.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
