scholarly journals Frequency of Dietary Supplements usage in the Saudi Arabian Public and Gym Users

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Raihan Sajid ◽  
Lama Quraiba ◽  
Noara Khaled Alhusseini ◽  
Haifa Alsheikh ◽  
Nabel Basha ◽  
...  

In the recent years, dietary supplements use among adults has increased dramatically to maintain good health and prevent diseases. Since some individuals find maintaining a balanced meal a challenge, they use dietary supplements to replace inadequate energy and micro/macro-nutrient intake. The aim of the study is to explore the use of dietary supplements and to assess awareness of its positive/adverse effects among physically active adults and the general population in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey-based study and received 574 responses showing frequencies and types of dietary supplements. The results show that 44.6% of respondents use dietary supplements. The most used dietary supplements were Vitamin C and multivitamins, consumed by 44% of the respondents, Vitamin D (44%), Iron (41%), and Calcium (39%).  Protein sports bars and powder were consumed mainly by gym members, particularly those practicing weight-training exercises. Approximately 4% of respondents reported side-effects secondary to the usage of the dietary supplements. We conclude that the dietary supplement usage is widespread in Saudi Arabia among both gym members and the general public. It is highly recommended to increase awareness measures from official health entities by educating the general population and physically active adults about dietary supplement use and adverse effects to ensure safe practices.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 783-790
Author(s):  
Doaa M. Abdel-Salam ◽  
Jumanah M. Alruwaili ◽  
Raghad A. Alshalan ◽  
Taghreed A. Alruwaili ◽  
Shrouq A. Alanazi ◽  
...  

Background: Dietary supplement use received wide attention and interest throughout the world, particularly in Gulf countries, because of advanced economic and industrial growth. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of dietary supplement use among medical students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, an anonymous self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed among medical students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. Out of the 381 medical students, 366 answered the questionnaire with a response rate of 96%. Analysis of data was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program, version 24. Statistical significance was considered at P values <0.05. Results: Regarding the prevalence of dietary supplement use, 36.3% (n=133) and 29.5% (n=108) of the respondents were previous and current users of dietary supplements, respectively. Multivitamins and vitamin D were the most prevalent dietary supplements used by the participants. The students reported that the internet was the main source of knowledge concerning dietary supplements. The significant predictors of dietary supplement use in the logistic regression analysis were: age >21 years (odds ratio (OR): 3.26; confidence interval (CI): 1.67-10.53), females sex (odds ratio (OR): 2.23; confidence interval (CI): 2.34-6.84), and being in the third academic year or more (odds ratio (OR): 2.58; confidence interval (CI): 1.82-5.37). The most reported reasons for utilizing dietary supplements were nutritional supplementation and health promotion. Nearly three-quarters of the students agreed that dietary supplementation is good for health and recommended others to use them after doctor recommendation. Conclusion: Dietary supplement use was remarkably high among medical students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. Consumption of dietary supplements increased significantly among older students, females, and those in the third academic year or more. This study recommends other studies involving students from non-health domain colleges to detect if there is a difference in the prevalence of dietary supplement use within this population.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247295
Author(s):  
Md. Ashraful Islam ◽  
Aseel Fuad Al-karasneh ◽  
Mehwish Rizvi ◽  
Zeb-Un Nisa ◽  
Ahmed Majed Albakheet ◽  
...  

Purpose The aim of this study was to gather data from female students studying in both health and non-health colleges at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University and report the prevalence, reasons, and determinants of dietary supplements use. Methods A month-long cross-sectional study was conducted in health and non-health colleges affiliated to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Convenient sampling was employed, and the data was gathered through an online survey using the English and Arabic versions of the Dietary Supplement Questionnaire (DSQ). The data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and Medcalc. The study was approved by an ethics committee. Results Data from 545 participants was collected. The overall prevalence of dietary supplement use was 32.7% (95% CI: 29.06%– 36.51%). The prevalence was 29.77% (95% CI: 25.29%– 34.56%) among students at all health colleges combined and, it was 37.50% (95% CI: 31.36%– 43.96%) among students at all non-health colleges. Most students used a brand product, spent a monthly cost of SAR 286 (USD 76.3) on supplements and agreed that supplements were good for health (N = 392, 71.9%). Students from non-health- colleges agreed that dietary supplements are good for health in greater numbers as compared to non-health college students (p < 0.001). Students aged ≥ 20 years, studying in a non-health college and up to 3rd year of study, were more 2 times more likely to agree that dietary supplements are good for health. Conclusion Supplements were commonly used among female students at this university however, it was quite low as compared to students from other local and regional universities. Prevalence was higher in non-health colleges as compared to health colleges and the most commonly used supplements were brand products and, multivitamins, used for general health and well-being. This highlights the inclination of students towards supplement use.


Author(s):  
Maha H. Alhussain ◽  
Waad S. Abdulhalim ◽  
Laila Naif Al-harbi ◽  
Manal Abdulaziz Binobead

Background: Protein supplements have become a widespread practice amongst athletes and gym users worldwide. However, studies on the use of protein supplements among female gym users in Saudi Arabia are lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of protein supplement usage among female gym users and their attitudes towards protein supplementation in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 502 female gym users aged ≥18 years completed a structured, self-administered online questionnaire on the usage of protein supplementation. Socio-demographic information, anthropometry, health status, exercise frequency, attitudes and knowledge regarding protein supplements were obtained. Results: The overall prevalence rate of protein supplement use among the study respondents was 36.3%. There were significant associations between the use of protein supplements and educational level (p< 0.05), the duration of being a gym member (p< 0.05) and frequency of gym visits per week (p< 0.05). Whey protein was the predominantly used supplement (57.8%), and the reason attributed to the use of protein supplement was muscle building (53.9%). The main sources of information regarding protein supplement use included the internet (30.2%) followed by gym coaches (25.3%). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that a considerable number of females exercising in gyms use protein supplements, and most rely on unreliable sources for decision-making of protein supplements use. Nutritional education and consultations regarding protein supplement use are warranted.


Author(s):  
Hanmei Liu ◽  
Shiya Zhang ◽  
Hanshuang Zou ◽  
Yuanlin Pan ◽  
Qiping Yang ◽  
...  

Dietary supplement use is increasing globally, especially among children. However, few studies have been conducted to examine dietary supplement use among Chinese children. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dietary supplement use and the associated factors in primary school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four primary schools in Hunan province, China. A total of 706 Chinese parents/caregivers of school children aged 6–12 years old were enrolled. Self-administrated questionnaires were used to collect information about the children’s dietary supplement use, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The prevalence of dietary supplement use in primary school students was 20.4%. Calcium (16.7%), vitamin C (9.2%), and vitamin D (8.5%) were the most commonly used types of dietary supplement. The main reasons for parents/caregivers to purchase dietary supplements for their children were immunity improvement (43.6%), and for growth promotion (36.5%). Some caregivers (26.4%) purchased dietary supplements online, including from dubious or unknown sellers. However, 37.5% of caregivers did not receive formal guidance on supplementation even if they purchased their supplements through formal channels. Parents/caregivers were unclear about the appropriate choices for children’s dietary supplement use. Guidelines and counseling regarding dietary supplements for children may be helpful in public health work.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 2156-2165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence J Babwah ◽  
Rohan G Maharaj ◽  
Paula Nunes

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to determine the knowledge and practices among Trinidad and Tobago school-attending adolescents towards energy drinks (ED), alcohol combined with energy drinks (AwED), weight-altering supplements (WAS) and vitamin/mineral supplements (VMS) and their experience of adverse effects associated with such use.DesignA cross-sectional, proportionate, stratified sampling strategy was adopted using a self-administered, de novo questionnaire.SettingSecondary schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago.SubjectsStudents aged 15–19 years.ResultsFive hundred and sixty-one students participated, an 84 % response rate; 43·0 % were male, 40·5 % East Indian and 34·1 % mixed race. VMS, ED, WAS and anabolic steroids were used by 52·4 %, 44·0 %, 8·9 % and 1·4 % of students, respectively, with 51·6 % of ED users using AwED. Predictors of use of AwED were males and students who played sport for their school (OR = 1·9; 95 % CI 1·2, 3·2 and OR = 2·6; 95 % CI 1·4, 4·7, respectively). Predictors of ED use were males and attendees of government secondary schools (OR = 1·7; 95 % CI 1·1, 2·4 and OR = 1·7; 95 % CI 1·2, 2·4, respectively). Side-effects, mainly palpitations, headaches and sleep disturbances, were reported in 20·7 % of dietary supplement users.ConclusionsMany adolescent students in Trinidad and Tobago use dietary supplements, including ED and AwED, and about one-fifth of users experience side-effects. Identification of students at risk for ED, AwED and WAS use and education of students about the dangers of using dietary supplements need to be instituted to prevent potential adverse events.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynelda Pillay ◽  
Kirthee Pillay

Background: A dietary supplement is a product that aims to add nutritional value to the diet. University students are known to make use of dietary supplements to improve their academic performance, increase energy levels and promote overall general health. Based on assumption, students studying towards a nutrition-related degree may eat healthily and choose not to use dietary supplements. Alternatively, because of their interest in and exposure to nutrition, they may decide to use dietary supplements. However, there is a lack of published studies investigating the prevalence of dietary supplement use and reasons for use among South African university students studying towards a nutrition-related degree.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the use of dietary supplements by dietetics students.Setting: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: Of the 139 participants, 23% (n = 32) used dietary supplements. There was a greater use by female students, those who lived at home and those registered for the Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics. Reasons for using dietary supplements included the following: to strengthen the immune system (62.5%), to improve energy levels (56.3%) and to enhance physical health (50%). Cost (32.7%; n = 35), an adequate diet (22.4%; n = 24) and not necessary or waste of money (15%; n = 16) were reasons for not using dietary supplements. Most students (84.4%) made use of a multivitamin and mineral supplement.Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of dietary supplement use by UKZN dietetics students, with the high cost of supplements given as the main reason for non-use.


2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Harrison ◽  
D. Holt ◽  
D. J. Pattison ◽  
P. J. Elton

Many people take dietary supplements, but information on characteristics associated with their use is lacking. The relationship between lifestyle behaviours, morbidity and use of dietary supplements has not been examined and earlier studies have limited applicability to a general population. These issues were addressed in the current study. Information was obtained by postal questionnaire sent to a sample of the general population. The questionnaire was completed by 70·5% of the sample (15465 from a total sample of 21923), with at least one-third (35·5%) taking dietary supplements. In adjusted analyses, supplement users were more likely to be women, white, home-owners, non-smokers and physically active. Use of vitamin, mineral and/or antioxidant supplements was associated with eating more fruits and vegetables, and taking fish-oil supplements was associated with eating oil-rich fish. A history of CVD or risk factors for CVD reduced the risk of taking vitamins, minerals and/or antioxidants or fish-oil supplements. Those reporting musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis were more likely to take fish-oil supplements For the first time, we have shown that dietary supplement use is related to different types of morbidity. In particular, people at risk of primary or secondary CVD seem less likely to use dietary supplements, despite possible benefits shown in clinical trials. Public health organisations need to develop guidelines for the public and health professionals regarding the uncontrolled use of dietary supplements in the community.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman H. Jawadi ◽  
Abdulmalik M. Addar ◽  
Abdulaziz S. Alazzam ◽  
Fahad O. Alrabieah ◽  
Abdullah S. Al Alsheikh ◽  
...  

Background.Several studies showed that regular gymnasium users use various dietary supplements without comprehension of their potential risks.Objective.To determine the prevalence and dietary supplement intake and assess the awareness of supplement use among regular gymnasium users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Methods.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among regular gymnasium users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between April 2015 and June 2015. A validated structured questionnaire was used.Results.The study included 299 participants. Of these 113 (37.8%) were dietary supplements users and this was more common among males than females (44.7% versus 16.4%). Gender based analysis showed that males were exercising more frequently than females and the type of cardiovascular exercise was more among them. The most commonly used supplements were whey protein (22.1%), amino acids (16.8%), multivitamins (16.8%), creatine (11.5%), and omega 3 (11.5%). The reasons for taking dietary supplements were to improve body shape (47.7%), increase health (44.2%), and improve performance (41.5%).Conclusion.Most of the information about supplements was obtained from unreliable sources. More studies are needed to better understand supplements use and their impact on health in Saudi Arabia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulelah Mastour Aldhahir ◽  
Jaber Saud Alqahtani ◽  
Malik A. Althobiani ◽  
Saeed M. Alghamdi ◽  
Abeer F. Alanazi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Background: The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) decided to enhance telemedicine provision by introducing the Seha mobile app; however, the perception of the Seha app has not been extensively explored from the perspective of the general population OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the current knowledge, satisfaction, and barriers to the use of the Seha app among the general population in Saudi Arabia. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was distributed among the general population of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the respondents’ characteristics. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. A chi-square (χ2) test was conducted to assess the statistical difference between respondents’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge and use of the Seha app. RESULTS 2,921 (58%) of the respondents had heard of the app, although only 1,286 (25%) had used Seha. Higher users were noticed among those above 51 years of age and females, 67 (35%) and 804 (28%), respectively. Highest Seha users were from the western region, 388 (29%: P <0.05). Consulting a doctor was the most frequently used service, 576 (58%). Respondents strongly agreed, 402 (41%), or agreed, 470 (48%), that Seha was easy to use. Moreover, 538 (54%) strongly agreed and 343 (35%) agreed that they would recommend Seha to others. The most common barrier to using the Seha app was a lack of knowledge about the app and its benefits, 1,556 (35%). CONCLUSIONS Conclusion: Utilization of the Seha app in Saudi Arabia is very low due to a lack of knowledge about the app and its benefits. Demographic factors and awareness were predictors for higher utilization. Seha was easy to use, and the majority would recommend it to others. Future studies are needed to explore the factors associated with the low rate of use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heoy Teng Lee ◽  
Hong Chuan Loh ◽  
Siti Nur Liyana Ramlee ◽  
Irene Looi

Healthcare workers (HCWs) must be aware of the latest data supporting or refuting the use of oral dietary supplements (ODS) in order to disseminate evidence-based health information and help patients make informed decisions. Nevertheless, there is relatively scant data on the prevalence of dietary supplement use among HCWs, the types of dietary supplements recommended to patients by HCWs, and their reasons for recommending these products, particularly during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study examined the prevalence of ODS use among surveyed HCWs, considered the types of ODS used and recommended by those HCWs, identified the reasons given by those HCWs for using or not using ODS, and determined whether those HCWs were recommending or not recommending ODS to their patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study targeted all HCWs working at a district hospital in Malaysia and was conducted via a self-administered online survey. The survey revealed that 67.3% of HCWs did not recommend ODS for patient use during the pandemic, despite 55.3% of HCWs reported personal use of ODS during the pandemic. Type of HCWs (P=0.001), monthly household income (P=0.019), prior ODS use (P<0.001) and recommendation of ODS to patients (P<0.001) were significantly associated with personal ODS use during the pandemic. Vitamin C was the most commonly used (81.3%) and recommended (95.0%) ODS. “To maintain overall health and wellness” was the most common reason for personal ODS use and recommendation to patients (83.3% & 79.2%). Given the increasing rate of ODS use during the pandemic, further research should be done so that evidence-based recommendations can be formulated to ensure patient safety.


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