DIETARY SUPPLEMENT INTAKE ASSESSMENT AMONG STAFF OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE IFE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Dietary supplement market is one of the world’s fastest growing industries. It’s poorly regulated and intake without prescription is high. The study focused on dietary supplement intake assessment among the staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. One hundred and eighty civil servants took part in the study and were selected using multi stage random sampling. Food consumption score measuring scale was used to assess dietary pattern over 7 days with score profiles (Poor = 0 – 21, Borderline = 21.5 – 35 and Acceptable = greater than 35). A modified food frequency table was used to assess dietary supplement intake. Dietary supplements identified in this study were assigned scores of 1 = minimum and 25 = maximum. The scores were further categorised as low, medium and high using the mean and standard deviation. Reasons for intake were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Only 35.6% were aged 41-50 years, 52.2% were males, 47.8% were females, 67.8% earned above ₦100,000 monthly and 98.9% had acceptable dietary pattern. Respondents had low score (3.3%), medium score (80.0%) and high score (16.7%) intake of supplements. Also, 43.9% used dietary supplement for prevention of disease and treatment (15.0%) while 41.1% had no reason for use. Supplement with the highest consumption were vitamin/mineral (34.5%) and tea (19.0%). Sex, religion and ethnicity had significant relationship with intake of dietary supplement (p < 0.000). It is concluded that there is medium consumption of supplement which some consumed without any reason. It is recommended that use of dietary supplements should be recommended by a physician to avoid toxicity of vitamins and minerals