Prevalence of Dietary Supplement use: Association of Sociodemographic and Lifestyle factors, Awareness and Attitude among Female college students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alfawaz Hanan Abdullah 
Published: November 2023

Objective

The economic boom in Saudi Arabia has prompted the use of dietary supplements in the last two decades. Our aim is to investigate the prevalence of dietary supplement use and its association with sociodemographic/ lifestyle characteristics, common attitude and behavior among Saudi female students.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, 534 female participants (19‐>26 years of age) completed a self‐administered questionnaire on their sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics, perceived health status, dietary supplement use, general awareness, attitude and behavior.

Results

Among all participants, the prevalence of dietary supplement use was 76.6% (n=409) with high level of education (p=0.002) and more physical activity (p=0.008) exhibiting a significant direct association with users as compared to non‐users. The frequency showed that beta carotene (54.2%), chamomile (54.2%), and glucosamine (53.8%) were the most preferred diet supplement in the category “when needed”. Cod liver oil (71.3%), omega 3 (68.3%), multi‐vitamins (61.5%), ginseng (60%), and vitamin A (60%), were mostly used in the category (from time to time). Multivitamins(34.4%) was the preferred choice when it comes to daily use, while, iron (15.9%) and potassium (12%) were used in the diseased category. The main reasons for supplement use were to “maintain healthy hair” and “injury and illness” (both 26.2%). Participants followed a medical prescription (79.3%) with social media as the best source (38%) of information. About (38.4%) were not aware and some disagree (30.3%) about any difference while taking supplements with or without consulting a medical professional. About (36.7%) of students lack information about side effects while, 35.0% were unaware about any health effect of dietary supplements.

Conclusions

The prevalence of dietary supplement use was high in Saudi female students and was significantly associated with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Association between Use of Dietary Supplements, Age, Marital status, Family Income, BMI, Academic Track, Educational Level and Health Problems, physical activity.

Use Dietary Supplements
Don't Use Dietary Supplements
P‐values

N
%
N
%

Age (in Years)
0.234

19–22
206
73.6%
74
26.4%

22–24
97
77.6%
28
22.4%

24–26
41
78.8%
11
21.2%

Higher than 26
65
84.4%
12
15.6%

Family Income (in Saudi Riyals)
0.135

less than 5000
40
70.2%
17
29.8%

5000–10000
131
82.4%
28
17.6%

10000–16000
114
77.0%
34
23.0%

higher than 16000
124
72.9%
46
27.1%

Marital Status
0.171

Married
110
80.9%
26
19.1%

Single
299
75.1%
99
24.9%

BMI Status
0.227

Normal
244
75.1%
81
24.9%

Overweight
113
76.4%
35
23.6%

Obese
52
85.2%
9
14.8%

The Academic Track
0.164

Scientific and Medical Colleges
251
78.7%
68
21.3%

Colleges humanity
158
73.5%
57
26.5%

Education Level
0.002

3rd – 5th Level
167
70.8%
69
29.2%

6th – 8th Level
156
77.6%
45
22.4%

> 8th Level
86
88.7%
11
11.3%

Health Problems
0.095

Vitamin D deficiency
76
90.5%
8
9.5%

Other Disease
76
81.7%
17
18.3%

Physical Activity
0.008

Yes
314
79.5%
81
20.5%

No
95
68.3%
44
31.7%

Note: Data presented as frequencies and percentages.