Abstract
Objective
To estimate the prevalence and determinants of use of vitamin and mineral supplements among adult Canadians.
Methods
Data from adult respondents of the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle (CCHS) 2.2 were used. Participants were asked about their use of vitamin and mineral supplements in the month prior to being surveyed. The prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplement use was compared across various socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of supplement use.
Results
In the month prior to the interview, 40.1% of adult Canadians took supplements. In the fully adjusted model, females of all ages were more likely to be users than males 19–30 years. Physical activity, fruit/vegetable consumption, and higher levels of household education and income were positively related to supplement use.
Conclusions
A substantial proportion of adult Canadians take vitamin and mineral supplements. The use was more prevalent among those with healthier lifestyles and of socio-economically advantaged backgrounds. Further investigation is needed to reveal the impact of supplements on nutrient adequacy and health.
Key words: Adult, Canada, vitamins, epidemiologic factors, minerals
Résumé
Objectif
Estimer la prévalence et les déterminants de la consommation de vitamines et de suppléments minéraux chez les Canadiens adultes.
Méthode
Nous avons utilisé les données des répondants adultes du cycle 2.2 de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes(ESCC). Les participants avaient indiqué leur consommation de vitamines et de suppléments minéraux au cours du mois précédent l’enquête. Nous avons comparé la prévalence de la consommation de vitamines et de suppléments minéraux selon divers facteurs sociodémographiques et liés au mode de vie. Les déterminants de la consommation de suppléments ont été évalués par analyse de régression logistique.
Résultats
Au cours du mois précédent l’enquête, 40,1 % des Canadiens adultes avaient pris des suppléments. Dans le modèle rajusté selon l’âge et le sexe, les femmes de tout âge étaient plus susceptibles d’en avoir consommé que les hommes de 19 à 30 ans. L’activité physique, la consommation de fruits et légumes et des niveaux plus élevés d’instruction et de revenu du ménage étaient positivement associés à la consommation de suppléments.
Conclusion
Une proportion importante de Canadiens adultes prend des vitamines et des suppléments minéraux. Cette consommation prévaut davantage chez les personnes ayant un mode de vie sain et venant d’un milieu socioéconomique aisé. Il faudrait pousser la recherche pour connaître l’incidence des suppléments sur l’adéquation de l’apport en nutriments et la santé.
Mots clés: adultes, Canada, vitamines, facteurs épidémiologiques, minéraux
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: This research was funded through Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research salary support to Drs. Willows and Veugelers, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research establishment funds to Dr. Veugelers made available as a student stipend to Ms. Guo, and a Canada Research Chair to Dr. Veugelers. The authors thank Ms. Shirley Loh from the Statistics Canada Research Data Centre at the University of Alberta for her support.
Disclaimer: This analysis was based on the Statistics Canada CCHS 2.2 master file which contains anonymized data collected in 2004/2005. The responsibility for the use and interpretation of these data is solely that of the authors. The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not represent the views of Statistics Canada.
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