Attitudes towards and use of dietary supplementation in a sample of postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the reason why people take food supplements in addition to or in place of medication, as well as the perceived efficacy and risk of these supplements. Methods: A 20-item, computer-assisted telephone questionnaire was administered to 442 women over 60 years of age in Hull, to assess the prevalence of use and perception of efficacy and safety of food supplements. Results: Data were available for 411 women, of whom 269 (65.4%) were currently taking food supplements, 76 (18.5%) were previous users and 66 (16%) were never-users. There was no difference in terms of age, smoking, consumption of fruit and vegetables, life-style and attitude towards conventional medicine between current or past users of supplements and never-users. The majority of users (n = 229, 66%) thought that food supplements help maintain good health (p < 0.001). Overall long-term (5 years) adherence was achieved in 244 cases of supplement uses (36%). Among users, 150 (43%) thought that supplements were very effective, and 171 (49.5%) women had noticed an improvement of various symptoms. Although the majority of users (n = 176, 51%) believed that supplements might have adverse effects, over 66% would not associate side-effects with the food supplement. Information regarding supplements was obtained primarily from the media, particularly magazine and newspaper articles (27%), with health professionals rarely being consulted (16%). Conclusions: Users believed supplements to be effective, although possibly with associated side-effects. However, they would not attribute adverse effects experienced to this form of treatment. Medical practitioners and health professionals are rarely informed or consulted, leaving potentially dangerous side-effects of food supplements to go unreported.

• SUPPLEMENT USE
• MENOPAUSE
• BENEFIT AND SAFETY
• CONCOMITANT MEDICATIONS
• NUTRACEUTICALS