Dietary Supplement Use and Nutrient Intake among Children in South Korea

Effect of a Single Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplement on Nutritional Intake in Korean Elderly: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2018-2020

Inadequate nutritional intake is common, especially among elderly individuals. Although micronutrient intake may help fill nutritional gaps, the effects of multi-vitamin and mineral supplements (MVMS) among the Korean elderly are not well known. Therefore, we investigated the nutrition-improving effects of a single MVMS. A total of 2478 people aged ≥65 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-2020 were analyzed. Nutrient intake from food and supplements was measured using the 24 h recall method. We compared the nutritional intake and insufficiency between the food-only group (n = 2170) and the food and MVMS group (n = 308). We also evaluated the differences in inadequate nutritional intake after taking MVMS with food. The analysis included vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, iron, and phosphorus. The proportion of insufficient intake ranged from 6.2% to 80.5% for men and from 21.2% to 82.4% for women, depending on the nutrients. Intake of MVMS with food was associated with lower rates of inadequacy (3.8-68.5% for men and 3.3-75.5% for women) compared to the food-only group. The results suggest that micronutrient deficiency frequently occurs in the Korean elderly population and can be improved by MVMS intake.

Association between the dietary literacy of children's daily diet providers and school-age children's nutritional status and eating behaviours: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Overweight and obesity rates have increased rapidly in Chinese school-age children, and previous studies have indicated that poor dietary literacy can lead to unhealthy eating behaviours. However, few studies have investigated the association between the dietary literacy of daily diet providers and the eating behaviours and nutritional status of school-age children raised by the providers. Thus, we aimed to explore this association.

METHODS

We collected data on the eating behaviours and nutritional status of children in two primary schools in Anhui Province, as well as the dietary literacy of their daily diet providers. T-tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the association.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in the scores on the Questionnaire of Children's Daily Diet Providers' Dietary Literacy (QCDDPDL) by region, relationship with the child, age, and educational level of the daily diet provider (all p < .05). Moreover, the children in the low QCDDPDL score group were inclined to engage in unhealthy eating behaviours such as emotional undereating and overeating (p < .05). In addition, the incidence of overweight and obesity was higher in the low QCDDPDL attitude score group than in the high score group (p = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that the dietary literacy of diet providers may influence children's health and eating behaviours. Improving the dietary literacy of diet providers may promote the health status and eating behaviours of school-age children.

Food and nutrient intake in dietary supplement users: a nationwide school-based study in Japan

Dietary supplements can be used to compensate for an inadequate diet. However, some studies indicate that supplement users consume healthier diets than non-users, although such data are lacking in Japanese children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the food and nutrient intake of dietary supplement users among school-aged children in Japan. A nationwide school dietary survey was conducted at fourteen elementary schools and thirteen junior high schools in twelve prefectures in Japan. Three-day non-consecutive semi-weighed dietary records were obtained on two weekdays and one weekend day. Analysis of covariance was performed to investigate differences in food and nutrient intake from meals consumed at school and outside of school between dietary supplement users and non-users, adjusted for socio-demographic and health-related characteristics. Of the 910 children included in this analysis, 80 (8⋅8 %) reported supplement use. Based on 3-d dietary records, dietary supplement users consumed higher mean amounts of oils and lower amounts of fruits and vegetables than non-users. In school lunches, users consumed significantly higher amounts of oils and lower amounts of protein than non-users. In meals consumed outside of school, dietary supplement users consumed significantly higher amounts of confectioneries and lower amounts of fruits and vegetables, folate, vitamin C and dietary fibre than non-users. Collectively, our findings indicate that dietary supplement users consumed less healthy diets than non-users. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these results and identify factors contributing to poorer dietary habits in supplement users.

Pilot study of dietary supplement consumption by kindergarten and elementary school children

Introduction: The use of dietary supplements has been increasing globally, especially among children. A lot of parents are influenced by advertising. In addition, in Poland a trend to self-medication has been observed. Parents often do not distinguish dietary supplements, medicinal products and non-prescription drugs. These are the most common reasons for the increase in sales of dietary supplements in Poland. Until a few years ago, many products containing vitamins and minerals intended for children were sold as medicines. Today, a product with the same formulation is sold as a dietary supplement. However, a few studies have been conducted to assess the use of dietary supplements among Polish children.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the use of dietary supplements provided by parents and the study of the awareness of the risks associated with supplements intake among preschool and elementary school students.

Methods: The study was conducted by questionnaire method among 316 parents/legal guardians of children attending elementary schools and preschools in three provinces.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 88.3% mothers and 11.7% fathers. The age of the respondents was as follows: 64.5% aged 31–40, 18.3% aged 41–45, 9.5% aged 26–30, 7.2% above 46 years and only 0.3% younger than 25. About 80% of parents administered their children with dietary supplements in specific situations. Vitamin and mineral supplements were predominant. A statistical analysis showed the effect of the education level as well as having many children on the administration of dietary supplements.

Conclusion: The questionnaire shows that the vast majority of parents/legal guardians administer their children with dietary supplements. There is a need to educate parents/legal guardians about the use of supplements and the risks involved.

Dietary supplement use in Korean children and adolescents, KNHANES 2015-2017

OBJECTIVE

To date, there have been few studies on dietary supplement (DS) use in Korean children and adolescents, using nationally representative data. This study aimed to investigate the current status of DS use and its related factors, among Korean children and adolescents from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Data from the KNHANES 2015-2017. Participants completed 24-h dietary recall interviews, including DS products that the subjects consumed.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population was 4380 children and adolescents aged 1-18 years.

RESULTS

Approximately 20.3 % of children and adolescents were using DS; the highest use was among children aged 1–3 years old, and the lowest use was among adolescents aged 16–18 years. The most frequently used DS was prebiotics/probiotics, followed by multivitamin/mineral supplements. Factors that were associated with DS use were lower birth weight in children aged <4 years; younger age, higher household income, regular breakfast intake and lower BMI in children aged 4-9 years; and regular breakfast intake and use of nutrition facts label in adolescents aged 10-18 years. Feeding patterns in infancy and having chronic diseases were not associated with DS use.

CONCLUSIONS

We report that over 20 % of children and adolescents use DS. Nutritional education for parents and children about proper DS consumption is needed.

Dietary Supplement Use Among Chinese Primary School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hunan Province

Dietary supplement use is increasing globally, especially among children. However, few studies have been conducted to examine dietary supplement use among Chinese children. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dietary supplement use and the associated factors in primary school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four primary schools in Hunan province, China. A total of 706 Chinese parents/caregivers of school children aged 6–12 years old were enrolled. Self-administrated questionnaires were used to collect information about the children’s dietary supplement use, and their socio-demographic characteristics. The prevalence of dietary supplement use in primary school students was 20.4%. Calcium (16.7%), vitamin C (9.2%), and vitamin D (8.5%) were the most commonly used types of dietary supplement. The main reasons for parents/caregivers to purchase dietary supplements for their children were immunity improvement (43.6%), and for growth promotion (36.5%). Some caregivers (26.4%) purchased dietary supplements online, including from dubious or unknown sellers. However, 37.5% of caregivers did not receive formal guidance on supplementation even if they purchased their supplements through formal channels. Parents/caregivers were unclear about the appropriate choices for children’s dietary supplement use. Guidelines and counseling regarding dietary supplements for children may be helpful in public health work.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Use among Korean Adults: Baseline Data from the Trace Element Study of Korean Adults in Yeungnam Area

Although dietary supplement use is believed to improve health status, the efficacy and safety of its use remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) to the total micronutrient intake. Study participants (n = 586) were selected from the ongoing prospective cohort study of the Korean population, and baseline information on current use of dietary supplements, types of supplements, frequency of use, dosage, duration, and brand name was collected. Dietary information was assessed using a 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Approximately one-fourth of the participants were categorized as VMS users. The proportion of VMS use was significantly higher in women (p = 0.02), older participants (p = 0.002), and those with a higher income level (p = 0.03) than in non-users. All vitamin and mineral intakes of both groups met the recommended nutrient intake levels by food consumption alone, except for riboflavin, calcium, and magnesium. Approximately 0.7-3.4% of the VMS users had nutrient intake levels that exceeded the tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin A, E, C, iron, and iodine. Excessive use of VMS can lead to an increased risk for adverse health effects. The results of this study provide useful baseline data for establishing guidelines for the appropriate consumption and adequate intake levels of VMS.