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Predictors of Dietary Supplement Use by U.S. Coast Guard Personnel.

ABSTRACT: Personnel in Armed Forces entities such as the US Coast Guard (USCG) engage in strenuous tasks requiring high levels of physiological and psychological fitness. Previous reports have found increased prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) use by military personnel to meet the demands of their occupation.This study assessed DS prevalence and patterns of use in USCG personnel and compared these findings to reports from other Armed Forces personnel.Use of DS by USCG personnel (n = 1059) was assessed by survey at USCG installations. Data were weighted by age, sex, and rank to be representative of total USCG demographics.Seventy percent of USCG personnel reported using a DS at least 1 time/wk. Thirty-three percent used 1-2 DS ≤ 1 time/wk, 18% 3-4 DS ≥ 1 time/wk, and almost 19% ≥ 5 DS ≥ 1 time/wk. Average expenditure on DSs by UCSG personnel was $40/mo. More than 47% of USCG personnel used a multivitamin and mineral, 33% consumed protein supplements, 22% used individual vitamins and minerals, 23% reported taking combination products, and 9% consumed herbal supplements. Increased use of DS use was associated with high intensity operational occupations, participating in high volumes of aerobic exercise and strength training. Use of DS was not associated with age, education or body mass index.Occupation is an important determinate of DS use. Prevalence of DS use by USCG personnel is greater than reported for other Armed Forces personnel and reflects high levels of participation in aerobic and strength training activities.

SUBMITTER: Austin KG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4521944 | biostudies-other | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BackgroundAbout 50% of Americans and 70% of US military service members use dietary supplements (DSs).ObjectivesThis cross-sectional survey examined current prevalence of and factors associated with DS use in service members.MethodsA stratified random sample of 200,000 service members from the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy was obtained from military manpower records, and these service members were asked to complete a questionnaire on their DS use and personal characteristics. Chi-square statistics and multivariable logistic regression examined differences across various strata of demographic, lifestyle, and military characteristics.ResultsAbout 18% of successfully contacted service members (n = 26,681) completed the questionnaire between December 2018 and August 2019 (mean ± SD age: 33 ± 8 y, 86% male). Overall, 74% reported using ≥1 DS/wk. Multivitamins/multiminerals were the most commonly used DSs (45%), followed by combination products (44%), proteins/amino acids (42%), individual vitamins/minerals (31%), herbals (20%), joint health products (9%), and purported prohormones (5%). In multivariable analysis, factors independently associated with DS use included female gender [OR (female/male): 1.91; 95% CI: 1.73, 2.11], older age [OR (≥40/18-24 y): 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.44], higher education level [OR (college degree/high school or less): 1.35; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.53], higher BMI [OR (≥30/<25 kg/m2): 1.37; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.52], more weekly resistance training [OR (>300/≤45 min/wk): 5.05; 95% CI: 4.55, 5.61], smokeless tobacco use [OR (user/nonuser): 1.30; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.44], higher alcohol intake [OR (≥72/0 mL/wk): 1.41; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.54], and higher military rank [OR (senior officer/junior enlisted): 1.26; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.51].ConclusionsCompared with civilian data from the NHANES, service members were much more likely to use DSs and used different types of DSs, especially combination products and proteins/amino acids often used to purportedly enhance physical performance. Comparisons with previous military data suggest DS use has increased over time.

Project description:Background:The health benefits and risks of dietary supplement use are controversial. Objective:To evaluate the association among dietary supplement use, levels of nutrient intake from foods and supplements, and mortality among U.S. adults. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) data from 1999 to 2010, linked to National Death Index mortality data. Participants:30 899 U.S. adults aged 20 years or older who answered questions on dietary supplement use. Measurements:Dietary supplement use in the previous 30 days and nutrient intake from foods and supplements. Outcomes included mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer. Results:During a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 3613 deaths occurred, including 945 CVD deaths and 805 cancer deaths. Ever-use of dietary supplements was not associated with mortality outcomes. Adequate intake (at or above the Estimated Average Requirement or the Adequate Intake level) of vitamin A, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and copper was associated with reduced all-cause or CVD mortality, but the associations were restricted to nutrient intake from foods. Excess intake of calcium was associated with increased risk for cancer death (above vs. at or below the Tolerable Upper Intake Level: multivariable-adjusted rate ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.07 to 2.45]; multivariable-adjusted rate difference, 1.7 [CI, -0.1 to 3.5] deaths per 1000 person-years), and the association seemed to be related to calcium intake from supplements (?1000 mg/d vs. no use: multivariable-adjusted rate ratio, 1.53 [CI, 1.04 to 2.25]; multivariable-adjusted rate difference, 1.5 [CI, -0.1 to 3.1] deaths per 1000 person-years) rather than foods. Limitations:Results from observational data may be affected by residual confounding. Reporting of dietary supplement use is subject to recall bias. Conclusion:Use of dietary supplements is not associated with mortality benefits among U.S. adults. Primary Funding Source:National Institutes of Health.

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Predictors of Dietary Supplement Use by U.S. Coast Guard Personnel.

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