Dietary Supplement Use in All United States Military Services
Authors: Knapik Joseph J , Austin Krista G , Trone Daniel W , Farina Emily K , Steelman Ryan A , Lieberman Harris R 
Published: June 2021

A2008 Institute of Medicine report (https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12095/use‐of‐dietary‐supplements‐by‐military‐personnel) noted that there was no clear picture of dietary supplement (DS) use in the military and recommended surveys to examine usage. Our study investigated the prevalence of DS use in the military services and demographic factors associated with use. Surveys were administered to active duty service members (SMs) in the Army (n=1,275), Air Force (AF, n=1,787), Navy (n=700), Marine Corps (MC, n=983) and Coast Guard (CS, n=1,059) located in the United States and overseas. The questionnaire listed both generic and specific DSs and included questions on demographics. Prevalence of use ≥1time/week was calculated and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between any DS use (dependent variable) and various strata of demographics, with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs)calculated. The overall prevalence of DS use was (%±standard error) 67±1% with use prevalences in the Army, AF, Navy, MC, and CG 59±1%, 66±1%, 71±2% 74±1% and 69±1%, respectively (p<0.01). Multivitamins/multi minerals were the most commonly used DS among all services (44±1%), followed by protein/aminoacids (31±1%), combination products (26±1%), and herbal substances (10±1%). Factors independently associated with DS use (≥1time/week) included female gender (OR [women/men]=1.35, 95%CIs=1.17–1.56), older age (OR [≥40/18–24 years]=1.46, 95%CIs=1.19–1.80), overweight body mass index (OR [25–29.9/<25 kg/m2]=1.19, 95%CIs=1.05–1.35), and military service (OR [Marines/Army]=1.72, 95%CIs=1.42–2.09). Thus, DS use among SMs differs based on specific demographics. Compared to the civilian data assessed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), SMs were much more likely to use DSs and used very different types of DSs, especially for proteins/amino acids and combination products which are often used to purportedly enhance physical performance.

Support or Funding Information

We are military service members (or employees of the U.S. Government). This work was prepared as part of our official duties. Title 17, U.S.C. §105 provides the “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17, U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person's official duties. This research was supported by the Defense Health Agency under work unit no. N1335. The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. Human subjects participated in this study after giving their free and informed consent. This research has been conducted in compliance with all applicable federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects in research (NHRC.2013.0009).

Supported by US Army Medical Research and Material Command. Funding from the Center Alliance for Nutrition Research.