Abstract

This survey was accomplished to investigate the patterns of vitamin/mineral supplements usage in the middle-aged. Eight hundred seventy two persons of middle age were chosen from various cities and rural communities in Korea. In this study, those factors affecting vitamin/mineral supplements consumption, and usage patterns were examined. In addition, vitamin and mineral intakes through supplements were calculated, and then compared with RDA. As a result, vitamin/mineral supplements were taken by 40.8% of subjects. The higher the age, education level, family income and socioeconomic status were, the higher the percentage of supplements consumption was. City-dewellers used them more often than rural-dewellers. And vitamin/mineral supplements were taken frequently in subjects who perceived their health as poor, and concerned much about health. Illness and climacteric symptoms were also related with elevated usage. However, nutritional knowledge and food habit did not affect supplements consumption. Users mostly received information about supplements from TV/radio/newspapers, of family/friends. One of the mainly cited reasons for taking supplements, next to ' to give energy', was 'to be healthier'. The four most favored supplements, in ranking order, were vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin A and Ca. Most vitamin and mineral intakes through supplements were much greater than RDA except Ca. Especially, vitamin B1 intake was the highest as 49.6$\pm$34.9 times of RDA. In conclusion, vitamin/mineral supplements used by the middle-aged in Korea was as high as those of western countries. Supplements consumption seemed to be related with affluence, poor health status, and high level of health consiousness. And supplements tended to be taken for health promotion irrespective of scientific background. Most vitamin and mineral intakes by supplements were exceeded RDA, and their intake ranges were very wide. Thus some subjects should give attention to the potential harms of megadose.

Keywords

• the middle-aged;
• vitamin/mineral supplements usage patterns;
• vitamin and mineral intakes through supplements