TY - JOUR
T1 - Use of Nonprescription Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Is Common among Americans
AU - Blanck, Heidi Michels
AU - Serdula, Mary K.
AU - Gillespie, Cathleen
AU - Galuska, Deborah A.
AU - Sharpe, Patricia A.
AU - Conway, Joan M.
AU - Khan, Laura Kettel
AU - Ainsworth, Barbara
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was funded by a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (No. U48/CCU409664). Partial support was provided by the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Active Living Research Program.
PY - 2007/3
Y1 - 2007/3
N2 - Objective: Dietary supplements are not recommended as part of a weight-loss program due to concerns about efficacy and safety. This study sought to assess prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health care professional, and specific ingredient use. Participants and Design: Adults aged ≥18 years (n=9,403) completed a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of health behaviors from September 2002 through December 2002. Statistical Analyses Performed: Both χ2 and t tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons and multiple variable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors. Results: An estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%). In regression models, use was equally prevalent among race/ethnic groups and education levels. One in 10 (10.2%) of users reported ≥12 month use, with less frequent long-term use in women (7.7%) than men (15.0%), P=0.01. Almost one third (30.2%) of users discussed use during the past year; 73.8% used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine, and/or bitter orange. Conclusions: Use of supplements for losing weight seems to be common among many segments of the US adult population. Many adults are long-term users and most do not discuss this practice with their physician. Most of the weight-loss supplements taken contain stimulants. Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as to dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.
AB - Objective: Dietary supplements are not recommended as part of a weight-loss program due to concerns about efficacy and safety. This study sought to assess prevalence and duration of nonprescription weight-loss supplement use, associated weight-control behaviors, discussion of use with a health care professional, and specific ingredient use. Participants and Design: Adults aged ≥18 years (n=9,403) completed a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of health behaviors from September 2002 through December 2002. Statistical Analyses Performed: Both χ2 and t tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons and multiple variable logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors. Results: An estimated 15.2% of adults (women 20.6%, men 9.7%) had ever used a weight-loss supplement and 8.7% had past year use (women 11.3%, men 6.0%); highest use was among women aged 18 to 34 years (16.7%). In regression models, use was equally prevalent among race/ethnic groups and education levels. One in 10 (10.2%) of users reported ≥12 month use, with less frequent long-term use in women (7.7%) than men (15.0%), P=0.01. Almost one third (30.2%) of users discussed use during the past year; 73.8% used a supplement containing a stimulant including ephedra, caffeine, and/or bitter orange. Conclusions: Use of supplements for losing weight seems to be common among many segments of the US adult population. Many adults are long-term users and most do not discuss this practice with their physician. Most of the weight-loss supplements taken contain stimulants. Qualified professionals should inquire about use of supplements for weight loss to facilitate discussion about the lack of efficacy data, possible adverse effects, as well as to dispel misinformation that may interfere with sound weight-management practices.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jada.2006.12.009
DO - 10.1016/j.jada.2006.12.009
M3 - Article
C2 - 17324663
AN - SCOPUS:33847129551
SN - 0002-8223
VL - 107
SP - 441
EP - 447
JO - Journal of the American Dietetic Association
JF - Journal of the American Dietetic Association
IS - 3
ER -