Campos Maria João, Garbacz Agnieszka, Czlapka-Klapinska Natalia, Czlapka-Matyasik Magdalena, Pena Angelina
LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Bromatology, Pharmacognosy and Analytical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-624 Poznan, Poland.
Foods. 2025 Mar 5;14(5):884. doi: 10.3390/foods14050884.
Data on food supplement (FS) consumption profiles are scarce. This study aims to characterise FS consumption among Portuguese adults and identify personal, social, professional, and health-related factors influencing FS use. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire between July and September 2023. The participants were categorised into healthcare professionals (supplement users and non-users, i.e., HPS and HPnS) and non-healthcare professionals (supplement users and non-users, i.e., nHPS and nHPnS). Group distributions were compared using the χ test. FS use is very prevalent in Portugal. Significant differences emerged between HPs and nHPs regarding factors associated with FS use. Socioeconomic and professional characteristics, nutritional knowledge, and healthy lifestyles (e.g., eating habits) were all linked to FS consumption. Despite the differences between the groups, across groups, higher education levels, higher nutritional knowledge, and healthier lifestyle habits, such as engaging in sports and healthy food habits, translate into a higher consumption of FSs. The frequent use of FSs in Portuguese adults is associated with higher education, nutritional knowledge, and healthy lifestyles. HPs have specific attitudes through FS use. These findings indicate the need for further research to explore the various types of FSs being utilised and the underlying motivations behind their usage. HPs' access to FS scientific information and providing practical guidance to promote responsible and informed FS use within the population is crucial.
关于食品补充剂（FS）消费情况的数据稀缺。本研究旨在描述葡萄牙成年人的FS消费特征，并确定影响FS使用的个人、社会、职业和健康相关因素。2023年7月至9月期间，通过在线问卷进行了一项横断面研究。参与者被分为医疗保健专业人员（补充剂使用者和非使用者，即HPS和HPnS）和非医疗保健专业人员（补充剂使用者和非使用者，即nHPS和nHPnS）。使用χ检验比较组间分布。FS的使用在葡萄牙非常普遍。在与FS使用相关的因素方面，医疗保健专业人员和非医疗保健专业人员之间出现了显著差异。社会经济和职业特征、营养知识以及健康的生活方式（如饮食习惯）都与FS消费有关。尽管各组之间存在差异，但总体而言，较高的教育水平、较高的营养知识以及更健康的生活方式习惯，如运动和健康的饮食习惯，都与更高的FS消费量相关。葡萄牙成年人频繁使用FS与较高的教育水平、营养知识和健康的生活方式有关。医疗保健专业人员通过使用FS有特定的态度。这些发现表明需要进一步研究，以探索所使用的各种类型的FS及其使用背后的潜在动机。医疗保健专业人员获取FS科学信息并提供实用指导，以促进人群中负责任和明智地使用FS至关重要。
