Micronutrient Supplement Use and Diet Quality in University Students

Nutrients

Adam R. Wiltgren²  Alison O. Booth²  Gunveen Kaur²  Sara Cicerale¹  Kathleen E. Lacy²  Maree G. Thorpe²  Russell S. J. Keast¹ 

[1] Centre for Advanced Sensory Science, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; E-Mails:;Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; E-Mails:

关键词: micronutrient supplements;    diet quality;    university students;    dietary guidelines;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu7021094

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Many national and international public health organisations recommend achieving nutrient adequacy through consumption of a wide variety of nutritious foods. Despite this, dietary supplement sales continue to increase. Understanding the characteristics of micronutrient supplement users and the relationship with diet quality can help develop effective public health interventions to reduce unnecessary consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements. Participants (n = 1306) were a convenience sample of students studying first year food and nutrition. Data was collected via a Food and Diet Questionnaire (FDQ) and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Supplement users were defined as participants who indicated consuming any listed supplement as frequently as once a month or more. Diet quality was assessed using a Dietary Guideline Index (DGI) score. Prevalence of supplement use was high in this study population with 56% of participants reporting supplement use; the most popular supplements consumed were multivitamins (28%) and vitamin C (28%). A higher DGI score was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of supplement use (mean: 105 ± 18 vs. 109 ± 17, p = 0.001). Micronutrient supplement use was associated with a higher DGI score, suggesting that supplements are more likely to be used by those who are less likely to require them.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.