Factors Associated with Dietary Supplement Use among Preschool Children: Results from a Nationwide Survey in Japan

Abstract

SummaryThis study was performed to reveal factors associated with dietary supplement use among Japanese preschool children in a nationwide survey. A cross-sectional, Internet survey was conducted among 2,058 mothers aged 20-40 y old who had preschool children and were registrants of a Japanese social research company in February 2013. The questionnaires assessed dietary supplement use, lifestyle and eating habits in both children and their mothers, eating awareness among mothers and the mothers' sources of health information. The study employed logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between dietary supplement use and other variables. Dietary supplements were used by 8.0% of the children. Children who used supplements tended to be older in age, less likely to "get up cheerfully every morning," more likely to skip breakfast, eat out more frequently, and have mothers who used supplements, than children who did not use supplements. Mothers' level of education and household income were not associated with supplement use among their children. It is likely that mothers' anxiety about their children's health or unhealthy eating habits has a striking effect on supplement use among children. However, the actual dietary balance and daily rhythms of child supplement users were not irregular or unhealthy. It is necessary to give more accurate information on children's dietary habits and health to address mothers' anxiety.

The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use among College Students: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

“…The prevalence of dietary supplement use in college students in this survey is consistent with other surveys in Japan, but lower than in other countries [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. The lower prevalence was also reported among preschool children in Japan [ 12 , 13 ] compared to the United States [ 14 , 15 ]. At this time, the prevalence of dietary supplement use in Japan might be lower than in other countries.…”

“…Many of these studies have focused on the elderly population [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] and patients [ 10 , 11 ], who often use dietary supplements and frequently take medicines concomitantly. It was also reported by Sato et al [ 12 , 13 ] that the prevalence of dietary supplement use among preschool children aged 0 to 6 years ranged from 8.0% to 15.5% in Japan, which is still lower than in the United States [ 14 , 15 ]. Children are given dietary supplements by their parents, mainly because parents believe that their children will not obtain sufficient nutrients from their diet.…”

The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use Among Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

“…Not only was the prevalence of dietary supplement use in each grade similar, but the increase in use in line with increasing age as shown in the Nara study was also replicated. In addition, Sato et al reported the prevalence of dietary supplement use in preschool children as 8.0% [ 13 ], whereas the prevalence in college students and adults has been estimated to be between 32.0% and 60.7%, respectively [ 15 , 22 ]. Thus, our result of an increase from 15.3% in ES (1st-3rd) to 29.2% in HS falls in the middle of the reported range between preschoolers and college students.…”

“…Many studies have focused on elderly populations [ 7 , 9 , 10 ] or patients [ 11 , 12 ], because these populations are inclined to use dietary supplements for their health and may use dietary supplements instead of medicines to treat diseases. Previously, our group reported that the prevalence of dietary supplement use among preschool children aged from 0 to 6 years was between 8.0% [ 13 ] and 15.5% [ 14 ] in Japan. It has been reported that parents provide dietary supplements to preschool children mainly because they consider their children do not derive sufficient nutrients from meals.…”

Maternal educational level and socioeconomic status as related to the nutritional status of preschool children attending day-care centers

“…La nutrición en esta etapa de la vida, juega un papel importante como factor que influye en el crecimiento y el desarrollo, así como en el riesgo futuro de padecer enfermedades relacionadas con la dieta. En este sentido, una vez instalada la malnutrición, ésta afecta al bienestar físico, mental, social y el desarrollo de los niños, y hasta el momento, ha sido la causa subyacente de más de la mitad de las muertes infantiles en muchos países en (11)(12)(13) desarrollo .…”