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Prevalence, Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Dietary Supplements among a Student Population in Croatia

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra Pavičić Žeželj

    (Health Ecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Ana Tomljanović

    (Health Ecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Gordana Kenđel Jovanović

    (Department of Health Ecology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Greta Krešić

    (Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Primorska 42, P.O. Box 97, 51410 Opatija, Croatia)

  • Olga Cvijanović Peloza

    (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Nataša Dragaš-Zubalj

    (Department of Health Ecology, Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County, Krešimirova 52a, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia)

  • Iva Pavlinić Prokurica

    (Croatian Centre for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Gorice 68 g, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of usage and the knowledge and attitudes towards dietary supplements among medical sciences and nonmedical sciences students from Croatia. The study was conducted based on a questionnaire about dietary supplement usage, knowledge and attitudes. The prevalence of dietary supplement use, among 910 university students was 30.5%. The most-used dietary supplements were vitamins (18.0% in medical sciences students and 9.8% in non-medical sciences students). For all students, the internet (66.1%) was the most common source of information, followed by healthcare professionals (33.2%). The most common reason for taking dietary supplements was to maintain good health (26.4%). Use of the internet rather than health professionals as a trusted information source should be revised among this young population. Supplement intake was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) ( p = 0.016) and physical activity ( p = 0.050). Students with normal BMI (61.5%) and the most physically active students (37.7%) took significantly more dietary supplements. Results of this study could help medicine faculties to improve their curriculum and support the development of public health messages aimed at wise and safe use of dietary supplements.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Pavičić Žeželj & Ana Tomljanović & Gordana Kenđel Jovanović & Greta Krešić & Olga Cvijanović Peloza & Nataša Dragaš-Zubalj & Iva Pavlinić Prokurica, 2018. "Prevalence, Knowledge and Attitudes Concerning Dietary Supplements among a Student Population in Croatia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1058-:d:148642
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dinko Martinovic & Daria Tokic & Marino Vilovic & Doris Rusic & Josipa Bukic & Josko Bozic, 2021. "Sport Dietary Supplements and Physical Activity in Biomedical Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Pia-Simona Fagaras & Silvia-Violeta Teodorescu & Anca Bacarea & Renato-Gabriel Petrea & Adela-Ioana Ursanu & Geanina Cozmei & Liliana-Elisabeta Radu & Gynetta-Ionela Vanvu, 2023. "Aspects Regarding the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among the Active Population in Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Bojana Vidović & Bojana Đuričić & Marina Odalović & Andrijana Milošević Georgiev & Ivana Tadić, 2022. "Dietary Supplements Use among Serbian Undergraduate Students of Different Academic Fields," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Maja Grujičić & Miloš Ilić & Budimka Novaković & Aleksandra Vrkatić & Zagorka Lozanov-Crvenković, 2022. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Miloš Ilić & Huiwen Pang & Tomislav Vlaški & Maja Grujičić & Budimka Novaković, 2022. "Motives and Barriers for Regular Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, December.
    6. Anna Merwid-Ląd & Marta Szandruk-Bender & Agnieszka Matuszewska & Małgorzata Trocha & Beata Nowak & Marie Oster & Adam Szeląg, 2022. "Factors That Influence the Use of Dietary Supplements among the Students of Wroclaw Medical University in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-23, June.

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