Dietary supplement use in elementary school children: a Japanese web-based survey

Insufficient Muscle Development Level Associated with Serum Zinc, Manganese and Cobalt Levels in Children Aged 6 to 9 Years in Shenzhen, China

Some trace elements have been found to be associated with muscle mass and muscle function; however, evidence in children is limited, and it remains unclear which trace elements are more relevant. We aimed to explore the association of levels of individual and combined essential trace elements and muscle development level (MDL) in young children. Muscle mass was measured by body composition analysis, and trace elements were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) were used to assess the individual and joint associations between trace element levels and MDL. We enrolled 2851 children: 1595 boys (55.9%) and mean age 7.1 years (range 6.8-7.3). The proportion of insufficient muscle mass in the whole body, limbs, upper and lower limbs was 1.9%, 6.5%, 44.9% and 4.6%, respectively. The odds of insufficient MDL decreased with the fourth versus first quartile of zinc (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.89), manganese (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-1.00), and cobalt (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99) and was increased with the fourth quartile of nickel (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.72-2.89) and selenium (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.14-1.98). The RCS yielded similar results, except for the discrepancy in high cobalt levels. The odds of insufficient MDL decreased with the combination of nine trace elements (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97), primarily zinc (weight = 0.297), manganese (weight = 0.198) and cobalt (weight = 0.173). Insufficient MDL in young children was mainly in upper limbs. Low levels of zinc, manganese, and cobalt, individually or combined, were significantly associated with risk of insufficient MDL. Further foods rich in zinc, manganese, and cobalt should be suggested to supplement in diet, and increase exercise of upper limbs to improve insufficient MDL in the young children should be needed.

Predictors of Dietary Supplement Use Among Children Attending Care and Educational Institutions in Krakow, Poland

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Socioeconomic status and parental lifestyle influence dietary behaviors, including the administration of oral dietary supplements in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of selected health, dietary, and sociodemographic factors on the use of dietary supplements by children.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study, a diagnostic survey based on the computer-assisted web interview method was conducted in November 2022 among 2826 parents whose children attend public educational institutions in Krakow, Poland. The study group included data on 497 nursery children (17.6%), 599 kindergarten children (21.2%), 1594 primary school children (56.4%), and 136 secondary school children (4.8%).

RESULTS

Among all respondents, 72.2% were taking oral nutritional supplements, with vitamin D supplementation being particularly popular in all groups. Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of supplement use, including special diet (p < 0.001), use of medication for chronic disease (p = 0.012), regularity of main meals (p = 0.022), and attending a sports school (p = 0.021). A decrease in supplement use was observed with the increasing level of education of children (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the importance of various health, dietary, and sociodemographic factors in influencing decisions regarding dietary supplementation in children. Further assessment of dietary supplement usage should be conducted alongside evaluations of nutrient intake from the children's diet.

Prevalence, correlates and common conditions associated with adolescent dietary supplement use: a cross-sectional survey in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE

There is a broad spectrum of dietary supplements (DS) and their accessibility worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of DS use among Bangladeshi adolescents. This study estimates the prevalence, correlates and common conditions related to DS use.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, convenient sampling strategy was adopted using an interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire.

SETTING

Kurigram and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh.

PARTICIPANTS

702 adolescents aged 10-19 years.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of DS use was 83 %. The majority of participants (93·4 %) agreed that DS were good for health, and 28·3 % reported general health and well-being as the reason for using DS. The most frequently used supplements were multivitamins (38·6 %) and Ca (37 %). DS use was more common among adolescents who had ≤5 siblings, good health status, no chronic diseases, a positive impression that DS are good for health and who had the tendency to encourage DS to others. DS use was also higher among those who received DS information from healthcare providers, professional literature, friends, family and relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of DS use is relatively higher among Bangladeshi adolescents compared to Bangladeshi adults and adolescents from other countries, highlighting the inclination towards DS use. Guidelines for safe DS use for adolescents are warranted to control DS use and prevent adverse effects.

Toxic elements in children's multivitamin-multimineral supplements and the health risks they pose

This work aimed to determine the levels of toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and their risks in children's multivitamin-multimineral (CMVM) supplements. An inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the studied elements. The mean concentrations and ranges (μg/kg) of the toxic elements in the CMVM products were as follows: As (32.4, 5.3-90); Cd (58.2, 6-129); Hg (42.2, 6-108); and Pb (231,8.6-541). The estimated oral daily intakes (EODI) were determined to be in the range of 0.01-0.31 g/day, 0.01-0.64 g/day, 0.02-0.53 g/day, and 0.01-2.36 g/day for As, Cd, Hg, and Pb, respectively. All the EODI values were below the tolerable intake limits set for each element. The chronic non-cancer risks associated with oral exposure to studied elements were evaluated using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (HI). The THQ and HI values were below 1, indicating that these products were safe for consumption by children. The potential cancer risks associated with exposure to As and Pb through the consumption of CMVM products were determined using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and the total cancer risks (TCR). The ILCR and TCR values were below the threshold value of 1 × 10-4, indicating that the risk of developing cancer was very low and ignorable.

Use of Health-Promoting Food and Supplements in Swiss Children

INTRODUCTION

Our diet is the sum of many different influences and has visibly changed over the past decades. Since children also imitate their parents when it comes to eating habits, the aim of the study was to assess the current dietary habits in Swiss children.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study of children between 0 and 18 years of age in Switzerland.

RESULTS

A total of 1964 children participated, with an average age of 7.4 years. A total of 57.9% of participants stated to buy supplements to promote health, while fruit juices/smoothies were the most popular product (42.5%), followed by protein-enriched products (40%) and vitamins/minerals (29%). A statistically significant correlation between longer screen time, a higher socioeconomic background, and the intake of supplements was found. Over 20% of all families regularly consume plant-based drinks.

DISCUSSION

This Swiss cross-sectional study of over 1900 participants reveals that 58% of all participants buy supplements or special kid's food to promote the child's health. There is a correlation between higher screen time, higher parental income, and the usage of supplements. A total of 23% of participating families consume at least one plant-based drink on a regular basis. As more and more families use supplements, the pediatrician should not only focus on weight, which reflects the intake of macronutrients but should also take a history of whether children omit certain foods or take supplements to ensure the child does not have a deficiency of micronutrients.

Prevalence of Essential Nutrient Supplement Use and Assessment of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Lebanese Mothers towards Dietary Supplement Practices in Maternal, Infancy and Preschool Ages: Findings of a National Representative Cross-Sectional Study

Mothers are understandably concerned about protecting the well-being of their offspring in every way possible, including providing oral dietary supplements (DSs). Up to now, there has been limited data on maternal knowledge and attitudes toward concomitant maternal-child DSs practices in Lebanon. This study evaluated the maternal knowledge and attitudes toward DSs and documented the DS-related practices in mothers and their under-5 children with their correlates. This cross-sectional study involved a representative stratified cluster random sample of 511 mother-child dyads (mothers: mean age ± SD = 30.25 ± 4.98 years; children: mean age ± SD = 18.7 ± 15.5 months, girls: 55.0%). A self-administered questionnaire was used to meet study aims. Most mothers lack awareness and hold unfavorable attitudes regarding DS use. Among all mothers, 47% were DS users, with the majority using vitamin D (82%). Almost 64% of mothers provide DSs for their children, with a predominant use of multivitamin drops (61.0%). "To keep the child healthy" was the reported reason by 60.0% of mothers to provide DSs for their children. Physicians were the primary information source about DSs for most mothers (64.0%). The usage of DSs among mothers was influenced by their pregnancy status, child's age, number of children per household, and their awareness and attitudes towards DSs. DS usage among children was correlated with maternal DS use and their mothers' attitudes towards DSs. DS usage among Lebanese mother-child dyads is common. Mothers should be the focus of education sessions regarding DS use.

Food supplement vitamins, minerals, amino-acids, fatty acids, phenolic and alkaloid-based substances: An overview of their interaction with drugs

Food supplements are a widespread group of products ingested as a diet complement, whose consumption has recently skyrocketed due to the consumers' concern with their well-being. Among food supplements, vitamin- and mineral-based ones are the top sellers, and the demand of others, such as those containing polyphenols, is increasing. Owing to their alleged natural characteristics, consumers take the safety of food supplements for granted, and use them even when taking medicines. Thus, their potential interactions with drugs have been sparsely evaluated. This manuscript aims to bring forth an up-to-date overview of the most important knowledge involving the interactions between food supplements and drugs, relevant to be aware by nutritionists and other healthcare professionals. To this end, an extensive bibliographic review was conducted focusing on peer reviewed data from experimental in vivo evidence and clinical studies whenever major clinical interactions have been reported. Elder people and polymedicated or chronic patients are especially vulnerable to the therapeutic ineffectiveness and toxicity caused by these types of interactions. Drugs used to treat cardiovascular, autoimmune, nervous, and oncological diseases are commonly involved in important clinical interactions with food supplements, many with a narrow therapeutic margin.