Prevalence and Determinants of Sex-Specific Dietary Supplement Use in a Greek Cohort

Abstract

We describe the profile of dietary supplement use and its correlates in the Epirus Health Study cohort, which consists of 1237 adults (60.5% women) residing in urban north-west Greece. The association between dietary supplement use and demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, personal medical history and clinical measurements was assessed using logistic regression models, separately for women and men. The overall prevalence of dietary supplement use was 31.4%, and it was higher in women (37.3%) compared to men (22.4%; p-value = 4.2−08). Based on multivariable logistic regression models, dietary supplement use in women was associated with age (positively until middle-age and slightly negatively afterwards), the presence of a chronic health condition (OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18–2.46), lost/removed teeth (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.78) and diastolic blood pressure (OR per 5 mmHg increase =0.84; 95% CI, 0.73–0.96); body mass index and worse general health status were borderline inversely associated. In men, dietary supplement use was positively associated with being employed (OR = 2.53; 95% CI, 1.21–5.29). A considerable proportion of our sample used dietary supplements, and the associated factors differed between women and men.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nutritional Supplement Use Among Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in China

“…Our study showed that women used NSs, such as calcium and multivitamins, more often than men. This result is consistent with previous studies that have shown a higher interest in NS use among female consumers ( 25 – 27 ). Some researchers attribute this to women being more concerned than men about their health, as they feel more responsible for the wellbeing of other family members ( 2 ).…”

“…Several studies have shown that NS users tend to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise ( 32 , 34 , 36 ). We found that former smokers were more likely to use NSs, including protein and calcium, and that former smokers increased supplement use, possibly to minimize the adverse effects of their previous habits on their health ( 27 , 37 ). Past alcohol consumption was associated with the use of iron and zinc, and we suggest that this may be because most older people could not clearly distinguish between the effects of iron (a possible prooxidant) and zinc (a possible antioxidant) on cardiovascular disease and choose to avoid taking these supplements during periods of alcohol consumption ( 38 ).…”

Dietary supplements consumption and its association with socioeconomic factors, obesity and main non-communicable chronic diseases in the north of Iran: the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS)

“…CAM often was chosen by consumers instead of or in addition to antihypertensive medications [ 55 ]. Data of Epirus Health cohort study showed that women with chronic diseases are more likely to receive supplements, and also in this data DS use showed an inverse association with diastolic blood pressure in women [ 56 ].…”

Parental Hesitancy towards the Established Childhood Vaccination Programmes in the COVID-19 Era: Assessing the Drivers of a Challenging Public Health Concern

“…It was administered from October 2020 to April 2021 through different online platforms, mainstream social media, and local press. In addition, participants of a population-based cohort study in northwestern Greece, the Epirus Health Study (EHS) [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], were also invited to complete the online survey. To guarantee anonymity, questions about personal data were avoided.…”