Korean J Fam Med.  2009 Dec;30(12):934-943. 10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.12.934.

What Types of Dietary Supplements Are Used in Korea? Data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2005

• Yi HH
• Park HA
• Kang JH
• Kang JH
• Kim KW
• Cho YG
• Song HR
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2304438
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2009.30.12.934

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Dietary supplements affect the health and disease status of Koreans. We assessed the patterns of dietary supplements use and the related factors in Korean adults from the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: Among the subjects, 2,024 men and 2,811 women underwent all the three parts of 2005 KNHANES, which consisted the health survey, the health examination, and the nutritional survey. Reported supplements were classified according to the 2008 Korea Food and Drug Administration Notification. We assessed the relationship between supplements use and socioeconomic state, health behaviors, and chronic diseases. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of Korean adults was taking dietary supplements. Vitamin/mineral supplements were the most commonly taken one. Glucosamine/mucopolysaccharide, ginseng, spirulina/chlorella, omega-3, and aloe followed in listing. Supplement users were likely to be woman and middle-aged. Supplement use was associated with older, high income, with spouse, higher education, urban-living, regular exercise, non-smoker, and lower BMI. Musculoskeletal diseases were associated with supplement use. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplement use is prevalent in Korean adults. The supplement use was associated with some demographics characteristics, health behavior, and chronic diseases. These factors should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of dietary supplements.

Keyword

Dietary Supplements; Health Functional Food; KNHANES; Health Behavior; Chronic Disease

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aloe
Chronic Disease
Demography
Dietary Supplements
Female
Health Behavior
Health Surveys
Humans
Korea
Male
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Nutrition Surveys
Panax
Spouses
United States Food and Drug Administration