Evaluating the Public Health Impact of a Community-Based Family-Focused Diabetes Prevention Program Using RE-AIM

Abstract

Participants were asked to select dietary supplements/ herbals used on a regular basis and a few questions about attitudes and behaviors. Results: Reasons for supplement use included: health, immunity, muscle, deficiency, optimal energy/mood. Of the supplements utilized, 53% utilized a multi-vitamin (56% Colorado vs. 49% Wisconsin), 24% used protein as a sports supplement (17% Colorado vs. 38% Wisconsin, p<0.05) and of the herbals and dietary supplements surveyed, 35% used fish oil (35% for both Colorado and Wisconsin). less than 10% of people reported using herbals. Only 58% informed their doctor about supplement use; 64% used medications and supplements simultaneously. Registered dietitians were some of the most underutilized professionals for knowledge acquisition. Conclusions and Implications: People use supplements and many don't inform their healthcare providers about it. Dietitians should be the knowledge source for dietary supplements, but they are not. More effort should be made to have dietitians become trusted sources for supplement education.