Factors affecting dietary supplement consumption in residents of Southern Tehran

Using dietary supplements depends on age، gender، marital status and other factors. The present community-based study was aimed to investigate the factors affecting dietary supplement consumption amongst people residing in south of Tehran. Through a cross-sectional study using convenient sampling، 708 records of individuals referred to nutritional centers in south of Tehran between 2006 and 2010 were examined. A predesigned checklist with items relevant to dietary supplement consumption was used to document the necessary information. Data was analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression. There was a significant relationship between dietary supplement consumption and age، gender and marital status (p<0. 05)، but not with body mass index (p<0. 05). The frequency of dietary supplement consumption for 19 to 35 years age group، women and married people was significantly higher. Eventually، after adjusting confounding factors، marital status still remained as the most significant factor affecting dietary supplement consumption. Focusing on dietary supplement consumption in target groups including youngsters، men and singles living in southern Tehran is recommended.