Dietary Supplement Use among U.S. Children by Family Income, Food Security Level, and Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status in 2011–2014

Abstract

This analysis characterizes use of dietary supplements (DS) and motivations for DS use among U.S. children (≤18 years) by family income level, food security status, and federal nutrition assistance program participation using the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. About one-third (32%) of children used DS, mostly multivitamin-minerals (MVM; 24%). DS and MVM use were associated with higher family income and higher household food security level. DS use was lowest among children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; 20%) and those participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC; 26%) compared to both income-eligible and income-ineligible nonparticipants. Most children who used DS took only one (83%) or two (12%) products; although children in low-income families took fewer products than those in higher income families. The most common motivations for DS and MVM use were to “improve (42% or 46%)” or “maintain (34 or 38%)” health, followed by “to supplement the diet (23 or 24%)” for DS or MVM, respectively. High-income children were more likely to use DS and MVM “to supplement the diet” than middle- or low-income children. Only 18% of child DS users took DS based on a health practitioner’s recommendation. In conclusion, DS use was lower among children who were in low-income or food-insecure families, or families participating in nutrition assistance programs.

Dietary Supplement Use in Children and Adolescents Aged ≤19 Years — United States, 2017–2018

“…As with previous studies, multivitamin-minerals were the most frequently used dietary supplement products (1,2). Use of some product types varied by age.…”

“…Sex-differences in any dietary supplement use among all children and adolescents combined have not been reported previously; however, a 2013-2014 study found a large, non-significant difference in any dietary supplement use among adolescent females and males (1). As previously reported, dietary supplement use prevalence increased with income and education of household head (2). Patterns of dietary supplement use by age group and race and Hispanic origin also remained similar (2).…”

“…Use of some product types varied by age. A recent study found that among U.S. children and adolescents who use dietary supplements, 18% took a dietary supplement under the recommendation of a health care provider (2). Few dietary supplement products are recommended for use among children and adolescents, and these are recommended only under specific circumstances.…”

Concomitant Use of Dietary Supplements and Medicines Among Preschool and School-Aged Children in Japan

“…This trend is consistent with our previous report [22]. However, the prevalence in adolescents was still lower than in the USA (32%) [13] or European countries (16.4-69.0%) [16,17,19]. New finding in this study is that the ratio of concomitant use of dietary supplement and medicine was also increased with children's age from 1.4% in one to three years to 6.0% in HS.…”

Adolescents’ learning and experiences of solving the need for dietary supplementation through socioscientific issue (SSI) method

“…DS is frequently reported in the media, and addressed in local, national and global dimensions (see Barnes et al, 2016;Cowan et al, 2018;Jun et al, 2018;Lowry et al, 2015;Parry et al, 2018;Parviainen et al, 2017). Thus the evaluation of the need for DS is hence fruitful topic for seventh graders and topic interested students.…”