scholarly journals The Prevalence and Awareness Concerning Dietary Supplement Use among Saudi Adolescents

Author(s):  
Hanan Alfawaz ◽  
Nasiruddin Khan ◽  
Alwateen Almarshad ◽  
Kaiser Wani ◽  
Muneerah A. Aljumah ◽  
...  

Current dietary supplement (DS) use among Saudi school students is not well described. In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence and predictors of DS use among adolescents. This cross-sectional study collected data via self-administered questionnaire from 1221 students (12 to 18 years). The overall prevalence of DS use was 26.2%, significantly higher in females than males (33% vs. 17.9%, p < 0.001). High proportion of female DS users demonstrated normal BMI than males (84% vs. 56.5%, p < 0.001). High percentage of male DS users were engaged in vigorous and/or high physical activity (PA) levels than female DS users (58.2% vs. 43%, p = 0.022; and 57.1% vs. 20.7%, p < 0.001, respectively). The main reasons for DS use among females were vitamin deficiency (63.3%), hair condition (37.6%) and nail health (23.5%) while in males, the main reasons were vitamin deficiency (58.4%) and body building (34.4%). The predictors of DS use in Saudi adolescents included being female, having high family income and being physically active. In conclusion, the overall prevalence and preference of DS use, though low among Saudi adolescents, was driven mostly by gender, physical activity levels and socioeconomic factors like family income. DS use guidelines and counselling among Saudi adolescents are warranted to improve public health.

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
WHYE LIAN CHEAH ◽  
HELMY HAZMI ◽  
CHING THON CHANG

Background: This study aimed to describe the patterns of physical activities both at weekends and on weekdays and to identify their associated factors. Material/Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among secondary school students aged 13-15 years old in Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and to measure perceived barriers, self-efficacies and social influences. Anthropometric measurements were taken and used to determine BMI-for-age, while pedometers were used to assess the physical activity levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: A total of 474 students from six secondary schools participated. About 16% of the respondents were overweight and obese, majority of them males. The mean BMI was 21.21 ±12.93, higher among males. The mean steps per day were 6251.37±3085.31, with weekends recorded a higher number of steps. The number of steps among males was higher than among females. On weekdays, self-motivation scores significantly predicted the participants’ number of steps/physical activity rate (b = 521.43, 95% CI -72.78 to 1050.19). At weekends, lack of interest and knowledge scores (b = -427.82, 95% CI -837.72 to 17.92) and making choices scores (b = 737.41, 95% CI -197.94 to 1276.88) were significant to predict the number of steps/physical activity levels. Conclusions: These findings indicated the importance of investigating predictors of physical activity for weekdays and weekends. Thus, efforts should focus on how to motivate adolescents to be more physically active targeting the identified predictors for weekdays and week ends.


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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosima Nuszbaum ◽  
Mari Wollmar ◽  
Agneta Sjöberg

Abstract Background: This study investigates food preferences among individuals active in different sports. Since food intake affects the carbon footprint, it is of interest to investigate influencing factors of food choices regarding sustainability. Physically active individuals are in need for high intakes of energy and protein in order to maintain their performance. Little is known about what influence food choices in this population. Method: A survey of a sample of 367 individuals was conducted in German and Swedish gyms, climbing halls and CrossFit boxes. Therefore, a questionnaire was developed to capture information about factors influencing food choice and consumed protein sources. Kruskal-Wallis-test tested significant differences between sport groups and physical activity levels.Results: The most frequently consumed animal-based protein were dairy-products, and the most frequently used plant-based source were grains. Taste and health were the main influences on food choices. Significant differences were observed between sport groups and physical activity levels. Sustainability was ranked as moderately important, with the highest importance in people active in the outdoor sports running and climbing. Participants with high physical activity levels and active in CrossFit rated performance more important than the rest of the sample and consumed protein supplements, eggs and poultry more frequently. Conclusion: Differences in food choices between various sports and physical activity levels were identified. Understanding the underlying influences on food choices might help to motivate a shift towards a more sustainable diet in athletes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosima Nuszbaum ◽  
Mari Wollmar ◽  
Agneta Sjöberg

Abstract Background: This study investigates food preferences among individuals active in different sports. Since food intake affects the carbon footprint, it is of interest to investigate influencing factors of food choices regarding sustainability. Physically active individuals are in need for high intakes of energy and protein in order to maintain their performance. Little is known about what influence food choices in this population. Method: A survey of a sample of 367 individuals was conducted in German and Swedish gyms, climbing halls and CrossFit boxes. Therefore, a questionnaire was developed to capture information about factors influencing food choice and consumed protein sources. Kruskal-Wallis-test tested significant differences between sport groups and physical activity levels.Results: The most frequently consumed animal-based protein were dairy-products, and the most frequently used plant-based source were grains. Taste and health were the main influences on food choices. Significant differences were observed between sport groups and physical activity levels. Sustainability was ranked as moderately important, with the highest importance in people active in the outdoor sports running and climbing. Participants with high physical activity levels and active in CrossFit rated performance more important than the rest of the sample and consumed protein supplements, eggs and poultry more frequently. Conclusion: Differences in food choices between various sports and physical activity levels were identified. Understanding the underlying influences on food choices might help to motivate a shift towards a more sustainable diet in athletes.


Author(s):  
José Cazuza de Farias Júnior ◽  
Arthur Oliveira Barbosa ◽  
Jonathan Karl Feitosa Mendes ◽  
Gerfeson Mendonça

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p450 This study aimed was to compare the prevalence of sufficient levels of physical activity produced by a measure of the simplified questionnaire compared to a detailed questionnaire and analyze the concordances between these measures in adolescents. This is cross-sectional study with 2,859 adolescents high school students (57.8% female, 14-19 years old), from the city of João Pessoa (PB), Northeast, Brazil. Physical activity was measured by two questionnaires: a simplified instrument, containing a single question and a detailed questionnaire. Adolescents engaging in physical activity ≥300 minutes/week were classified as sufficiently physically active. Agreement between the two measures was evaluated by the Kappa statistic (k) and sensitivity and specificity measures using the results of the detailed questionnaire as reference. The prevalence of adequate levels of physical activity was lower in the simplified questionnaire (20.1%; 95%CI: 18.6-21.6) compared to the detailed questionnaire (50.2%; 95%CI: 48.4-52.7). Inter-questionnaire agreement was slight (almost all with k<0.30). Sensitivity of the simplified questionnaire was low (from 26.4%, 95%CI: 22.9-30.0; to 40.9%, 95%CI: 37.0-45.0), and specificity was high (from 92.3%, 95%CI: 86.9-96.0; to 94.3%, 95%CI: 92.0-96.1). The agreement between the prevalence of sufficient levels of physical activity measured by a simplified and detailed questionnaire was low. Simplified questionnaires should be used with caution because they can underestimate the prevalence of levels of physical activity in adolescents.


Food Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
N. Erzurum Alim ◽  
R.E. Karakaya ◽  
O.P. Turk Fidan

Dietary supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients used as an addition to a normal diet with a nutritional or physiological effect. In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to determine the factors of dietary supplement use, the related knowledge, and their relationship with supplement use in a faculty of health sciences among university students. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 333 voluntary university students from Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, the Faculty of Health Sciences. A questionnaire form consisting of 5 sections was applied to the students by face-to-face interview method. The most remarked purposes of supplement use were to improve health (44.2%) and boost immunity (22.1%). There was no difference between age, gender, department, coexistent disease, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption in terms of dietary supplement use (p = 0.611, p = 0.720, p = 0.682, p = 0.062, p = 0.491, and p = 0.658, respectively). No significant difference was observed between physical activity status, the duration of physical activity, dieting status, the source of diet program, daily frequency of main meals and snacks, body mass index (BMI) groups, and the reason for meal skipping among students according to dietary supplement use (p = 0.180, p = 0.205, p = 0.686, p = 0.226, p = 0.533, p = 0.449, p = 0.976, and p = 0.758, respectively). There was not any significant difference between physical activity status, the duration of physical activity, dietary supplement use, dieting status, the frequency of main meals and snacks and BMI in terms of total knowledge score of dietary supplements (p = 0.245, p = 0.713, p = 0.278, p = 0.067, p = 0.466, p = 0.647, and p = 0.851, respectively). Scientific attention should be paid to the use of dietary supplements. Arbitrary approaches can lead to unwanted interactions. Therefore, in order for health and government policies to be established related to dietary supplements, it is essential to determine the factors related to their use.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariane Viana ◽  
Neide Bugliani ◽  
Michelle Sartori ◽  
Camila Martins da Silva ◽  
Iris Callado Sanches ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: By 2030, approximately 20% of the population worldwide will be 65 years of age or older. In this age group, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will result in 40% of all deaths. Heart rate variability (HRV) appears to be reduced under stress conditions and in many chronic diseases as cardiovascular diseases that appear to be associated with autonomic changes that usually include decreased parasympathetic activation and/or increased sympathetic modulation. Thus, aging is very important for altering neurohumoral mechanisms that control the cardiovascular system. Objective: To analyze the influence of level of physical activity in the HRV in elderly people. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study which included 49 subjects (60 – 86 years), which answered the Baecke questionnaire. Results: The less physically active group had lower levels of plasma HDL (42±2.43mg/dL vs 52±3.8mg/dL) and higher systolic BP (131±117mmHg vs 117±4.07mmHg) when compared to the most active group. The more physically active group showed higher PI of variance (1849.6±387.7ms²) when compared to the moderate (892.1±141.9 ms²) and the less physically active groups (972.3±285.2 ms²). Moreover, the most physically active group presented lower LF/HF balance (1.6±0.2) when compared to the moderate (2.6±0.3) and the less active groups (2.5±0.2). Discussion: The results demonstrated the importance of physical activity to promote hemodynamic, autonomic and lipid profile improvement, suggesting a lower risk of developing or progressing the disease in the elderly.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kwiatkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Kosińska-Kaczyńska ◽  
Izabela Walasik ◽  
Agnieszka Osińska ◽  
Iwona Szymusik

Background: No specific physical activity guidelines are available for women in multiple pregnancy. Aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and experience of women regarding physical activity during their latest twin pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including women after a twin delivery was conducted in Poland. A questionnaire was distributed in 2018 via web pages and Facebook groups designed for pregnant women. Results: 652 women filled out the questionnaire completely. Only 25% of women performed any physical exercises during twin gestation. The frequency of preterm delivery was similar in physically active and non-active participants. 35% of the respondents claimed to have gained information on proper activity from obstetricians during antenatal counselling while 11% claimed to be unable to identify the reliable sources of information. 7% of women admitted to feel discriminated by social opinion on exercising during a twin pregnancy. Conclusions: The population of women with a twin gestation is not sufficiently physically active and is often discouraged from performing exercises during gestation. Therefore, it is crucial to inform obstetricians to recommend active lifestyle during a twin gestation and to provide reliable information on physical activity to pregnant women. Further research on this topic is necessary in order for obstetric providers to counsel women on appropriate exercise with a twin pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712098583
Author(s):  
Mats Hallgren ◽  
Davy Vancampfort ◽  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Elin Ekblom-Bak ◽  
Peter Wallin ◽  
...  

Purpose: To describe physical activity habits, sedentary behavior, and cardiorespiratory fitness levels among alcohol abstainers, hazardous and non-hazardous drinkers. Design: Cross-sectional study with data collected between 2017-19. Setting: Sweden. Subjects: Adults aged 18-65 years (n = 47,559; 59.4% male). Measures: During a routine health assessment, participants answered validated single-item questions regarding: habitual physical activity, structured exercise, and the percentage of time spent sedentary during leisure-time (past 30 days), and completed a 6-minute cycle ergometer test (V02max) to determine cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Participants were categorized as alcohol abstainers, non-hazardous drinkers or hazardous drinkers (low/high) based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) cut-points for men and women. Analysis: Logistic regression models stratified by sex and age. Results: Compared to non-hazardous drinkers, the heaviest drinkers were less physically active (males: OR = 1.38, CI = 1.13-1.67, p = .001; females: OR = 1.41, CI = 1.01-1.97, p = .040) and more sedentary during leisure time (males: OR = 1.94, CI = 1.62-2.32, p = .000; females: OR = 1.62, CI = 1.21-2.16, p = .001). Apart from young females, the heaviest drinkers also did less structured exercise than non-hazardous drinkers (males: OR = 1.22, CI = 1.15-1.51, p = .000; females: OR = 1.43, CI = 1.15-1.78, p = .001). The strongest associations were seen among adults aged 40-65 years (shown here). High-hazardous drinking was associated with low CRF among older males only (OR = 1.19, CI = 1.00-1.41). Conclusion: Middle-aged adults with AUDIT-C scores of ≥6 (women) and ≥7 (men) were less physically active and more sedentary during leisure time and may be appropriate targets for physical activity interventions.


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