COVID-19 Pandemic and Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Adult Residents of Lithuania

Abstract

In the light of the changing pattern of the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim to assess the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements with respect to the purpose of consumption and sociodemographic factors among adults in Lithuania. This study included two samples of adults from Lithuania: 870 in 2019 and 1600 in 2021. Anonymous original questionnaires were used to collect the data about the consumption of dietary supplements before and during the pandemic. The consumption of dietary supplements was prevalent among 67.2% and 78.1% of the samples, respectively. Although the majority (73.7%) of the respondents indicated that the pandemic had no effect on their use of dietary supplements, every fourth respondent’s (24.6%) consumption increased. In 2021, the consumption was more prevalent among females, respondents with university education, urban citizens, employed respondents, respondents without children, with higher income, and those who knew a person with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). During the pandemic, the strengthening of the immune system and the body were the leading reasons for consumption (49.0% and 43.5%, respectively). The consumption of dietary supplements appropriate for these purposes increased among 63.3% and 66.9% of respondents, respectively. To conclude, the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in Lithuania increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Consumer Stance towards Dietary Supplements According to Sex in a Large Greek Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, even though the usage rates vary by country and the period of data collection (in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic), a comparison with different studies is difficult because the usage rates vary by the defined usage timeframe. Thus, before the pandemic, similar studies revealed high percentages of history of DS use (e.g., Switzerland 53% [ 26 ] and Saudi Arabia 63.2% [ 16 ]); meanwhile, others examined DS usage using a relatively wide usage timeframe, such as during the last one or two years (e.g., Spain: 9.3% [ 7 ], Poland: 10% [ 8 ], France: 40.8% [ 27 ], Italy: 49% [ 22 ], Netherlands: 62% [ 18 ] and Lithuania: 66.1% [ 9 ]) or a narrower range, such as during the previous week/month (e.g., France: 24.8% [ 27 ], Greece: 31.4% [ 12 ], Australia: 43.2% [ 28 ], Denmark: 55.8% [ 21 ] and USA: 57.6% [ 29 ]). Indeed, many studies have shown an increase in DS use after the pandemic began (e.g., Spain: 21.3% [ 10 ], Poland: 48–79% [ 11 ] and Lithuania: 78.1% [ 9 ]), with Greece, however, showing mixed results [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Other studies have also generated significant percentages supporting similar views in individuals both with and without a health science background [ 16 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In fact, studies have shown that during the pandemic a certain disease preventative/treatment mindset was shaped amongst many consumers, as they had made a connection between the enhancement of their immune system and DS consumption [ 9 , 11 , 13 , 20 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]; meanwhile, the current literature does not currently advise for or against the use of DS against the prevention or the treatment of COVID-19 [ 40 ].…”

“…However, other reasons, such as stress [ 47 ] and fatigue [ 27 ], have also been reported to be the prime motivator in certain studies. Nonetheless, one should keep in mind that the “improvement of the immune system” or the “prevention/treatment of COVID-19” as expected outcomes via DS use can be seen more frequently in the literature that was generated during the pandemic [ 9 , 11 , 13 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Meanwhile, our results indicate that the “motivational hierarchy” between men and women differs.…”

“…?”), and the point in time when such information was collected. For instance, before the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., March 2020 [ 6 ]), the percentage of those who used a DS during the last 12 months prior to their questioning was ~10% in both Spain [ 7 ] and Poland [ 8 ], but ~65% in Lithuania [ 9 ]. However, after COVID-19 was established as a pandemic, those percentages increased to 21% [ 10 ], ≥48% (“at least once in lifetime usage”) [ 11 ], and ~80% [ 9 ] respectively, indicating that COVID-19 might have played an impactful role.…”

“…Meanwhile, beliefs that DS are generally harmless seem to be established among many consumers [ 16 ], and DS users seem to have a variety of expectations for DS use, ranging from an improvement [ 17 ] or taking care of their overall health [ 18 ] to enhancing their appearance [ 19 ]. However, motivations that were aimed towards the immune system rose during the pandemic [ 9 , 11 ]. On the other hand, others might distance themselves from DS use for reasons such as a lack of respective deficiencies or because of concerns for their safety [ 20 ].…”