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Dietary Supplements Use among Serbian Undergraduate Students of Different Academic Fields

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  • Bojana Vidović

    (Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Bojana Đuričić

    (Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marina Odalović

    (Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Andrijana Milošević Georgiev

    (Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ivana Tadić

    (Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

The rising popularity of dietary supplements as a part of self-care practice increases interest in monitoring their usage in the general and specific population groups. This study investigated the prevalence and patterns of dietary supplement use among Belgrade University undergraduate students and its variations across different academic study fields. Of the 914 online survey students, 55.7% used dietary supplements during the past year. Female gender, eating behavior, and academic field were significant predictors of dietary supplement use. For all students, the most commonly used dietary supplements were vitamins and minerals, alone or in combination. Magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins were the most frequently supplemented micronutrients. The reasons for using, place of purchase, and source of information regarding dietary supplements significantly varied among students of different fields of study. Adverse effects related to dietary supplement use, including gastrointestinal symptoms, skin flushing, dizziness, and heart palpitation, were reported in 4.5% of students. Insufficient knowledge about these products was self-reported by 16.5% of users, more common among non-medical students. Thus, public health interventions are needed to improve students’ knowledge regarding rational and safe dietary supplement use.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:11036-:d:905978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. 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.
    3. Asokan Mulayath Variyath & Anita Brobbey, 2020. "Variable selection in multivariate multiple regression," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Camille Pouchieu & Rachel Lévy & Céline Faure & Valentina A Andreeva & Pilar Galan & Serge Hercberg & Mathilde Touvier, 2013. "Socioeconomic, Lifestyle and Dietary Factors Associated with Dietary Supplement Use during Pregnancy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-9, August.
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