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)

Abstract

Background Dietary supplements (DSs) use have become a growing trend worldwide, and it may be affected by demographic and sociocultural factors. Some people use supplements with the thought that they can improve their health, reduce symptoms and prevent disease. The aim of the present study was to define the frequency of DS use and its association with socioeconomic factors among participants with selected main non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) (diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension (HTN), cancers, and obesity in the north of Iran. Methods This large cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of the PERSIAN Guilan cohort study. Supplement use during last year and its type, demographic factors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits were asked by face-to-face interview. The history of chronic disease was defined by a trained team. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The chance of supplement use according to demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables and history of chronic disease was analyzed by logistic regression. Results 10,520 men and women aged 35–70 years in Some’e Sara County (including urban regions and 39 villages) were studied. About 25% of participants consumed DSs. The highest consumption of DS was calcium/vitamin D (11.1%), ferrous sulfate (8.8%), and vitamin D pearl or ampoule (7.7%). The highest percent of the history of chronic disease was central obesity (62.7%), HTN (43.2%), and general obesity (32.7), respectively. After adjustment for confounders, those with female gender, the highest age ranges (55–65 and > 65 years), high academic education, living in urban regions, and good economic status were more likely to be DSs consumers; however, married and smoker subjects were more likely to consume DS. Participants who had a history of diabetes, HTN, CVD, Obesity, and Central Obesity were more likely to intake DS in comparison with healthy subjects. Conclusion This study showed that a quarter of the participants were DS users. Female sex, older age groups, and higher educated participants, and among chronic disease, patients with HTN, CVD, and diabetes were more likely to be users of any DS.

Lifestyle, Eating Habits, and Health Behaviors Among Dietary Supplement Users in Three European Countries

“…In the current study, 79.37% of participants declared no smoking ( p > 0.05 for country and gender). This value agrees with most of the previous works, in which 75.9–88.24% of DS users have been described as ex-smokers and/or non-smokers ( 5 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 37 , 44 , 47 , 63 ). Former studies have indicated a significant, positive association between alcohol absence and DS use ( 24 , 63 , 64 ).…”

“…This value agrees with most of the previous works, in which 75.9–88.24% of DS users have been described as ex-smokers and/or non-smokers ( 5 , 22 , 31 , 32 , 37 , 44 , 47 , 63 ). Former studies have indicated a significant, positive association between alcohol absence and DS use ( 24 , 63 , 64 ). Moreover, the association with different types of alcohol separately has been widely investigated.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with dietary supplement use among Bangladeshi public university students: A cross-sectional study

“…This finding is in agreement with findings from a study in Saudi Arabia which reported that major illness was one of the motivations for DS use among students [ 1 ]. In another study in Northern Iran, participants with a history of obesity, hypertension, cancer and other major illness had greater odds of using DS [ 23 ]. Islam et al (2018) [ 7 ] has also reported that many people in Bangladesh use DS for the treatment of illnesses.…”

Who persistently consumes dietary supplements? A multifaceted analysis using South Korea’s nationally representative health and nutrition examination survey data

“…Several studies have investigated the factors contributing to functional food or dietary supplement intake, mainly focusing on gender, age, socioeconomic factors, and health status ( 11 – 23 ). Although the results are not generalizable ( 11 , 12 ), and are even somewhat contradictory ( 13 , 22 , 23 ), women, older adults, and those with higher levels of education and income were more likely to consume functional foods or dietary supplements ( 14 – 18 ). Health-conscious people committed to managing their health, such as through physical activity or healthy eating, were more likely to consume functional foods or dietary supplements ( 16 , 18 – 22 ).…”