Positive Health Online

Abstract

MESSERER and colleagues, Department of Medical Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Maria.Messerer@mep.ki.se, investigated what subgroups of Swedish adults used dietary supplements and natural remedies .

Background

In 1996/1997, Statistics Sweden conducted a cross-sectional survey, in which participants, in face-to-face interviews, reported on their consumption of dietary supplements and natural remedies in the previous 2 weeks. The authors used findings from this survey for their analyses.

Methodology

The study involved a nationally (Swedish) representative sample of 11,422 adults (5,596 men, 5,826 women) aged 16 to 84 years . 78% of people approached responded to the survey questions.

Results

Dietary supplements were reportedly used by 33% of women and 22% of men ; natural remedies were used by 14% and 7% respectively. Use of dietary supplements and natural remedies was best predicted by age, sex and subjective health . Women and older people were more likely to be users. Obese men and women used dietary supplements less than underweight individuals. Subjective health was related to use among men: those reporting excellent health were less likely to use supplements/natural remedies than those reporting poor health; this association was weaker among women. Men who regularly carried out moderate/heavy exercise were significantly more frequent users of dietary supplements and natural remedies than those who reported little or no exercise; women moderate/heavy exercisers also used natural remedies, but not dietary supplements, significantly more frequently .

Conclusion

A third of women and more than a fifth of men use dietary supplements . Use of natural remedies is lower, at 7-14%. Use of dietary supplements and/or natural remedies is associated with several sociodemographic and health behaviour factors, such as female sex, older age, being underweight, having [subjectively] poor health, and taking regular moderate/heavy exercise .

References

Messerer M et al. Sociodemographic and health behaviour factors among dietary supplement and natural remedy users. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 55 (12): 1104-10. Dec 2001.