Supplement use and attitudes towards supplementation with vitamins, minerals and protein powder among a Facebook community and university students

Abstract

The objective of this survey was to examine individuals who use supplements and those with positive attitudes towards supplementation. Prior research has shown increasing supplement use being correlated with a rise in liver failure and liver injury. A questionnaire was used to determine if gender, age, exercise and body-image were contributing factors. There were 415 participants in this survey, both female and male in the age range of 18-70 years old. Results showed that exercise had a small association with supplement attitudes but body-image, did not add anything to that factor. Those who exercise four times or more weekly had more positive attitudes towards supplementation use than those who exercise less. However, those who exercise fewer times than four times a week were more likely to use supplements than those who exercise more often. Age and gender were both contributing factors to supplement use but not to supplement attitudes. Younger participants and female participants were more likely to use supplements. Results revealed that there was not a significant gender difference in the attitudes towards supplementation with protein powder.