Socio-economic status and vitamin/mineral supplement use in Canada

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by Hassanali Vatanparast, Jennifer L. Adolphe and Susan J. Whiting

Abstract
Keywords
Findings
Authors
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?

Abstract

Background

The link between diet quality and socio-economic status (SES) may extend to the use of vitamin/mineral supplements.  This article examines factors related to Canadians' use of such supplements, with emphasis on associations with household income and education.

Data and methods

The data are from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey―Nutrition (n= 35,107).  The prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement consumption during the previous month was recorded.  Supplement use at the national level was estimated by age/sex groups, SES and chronic conditions. Logistic regression was used to determine significant associations between socio-economic factors and vitamin/mineral supplement use. Estimates of usual calcium intake from food and from food plus supplements were obtained using SIDE-IML.

Results 

The prevalence of supplement use was significantly higher in females than in males in all age groups 14 or older.  Age, being female, high household income and education, and being food-secure were positively associated with supplement use.  Supplement use substantially increased the percentage of the population, particularly older adults, meeting the Adequate Intake level for calcium.

Interpretation

The reported use of vitamin/mineral supplements varies by age, sex and SES.  The relatively low prevalence of use among Canadians of low SES is similar to findings from American studies.  These individuals, already at risk for inadequate intake from food, do not make up the difference with vitamin/mineral supplements.

Keywords

calcium, diet, food security, nutrition, nutrition surveys, nutritional requirements

Findings

The use of supplements can increase daily intake of vitamins and minerals (micronutrients) beyond what is obtained from food alone, and thus, may confer health benefits, including chronic disease prevention.[Full text]

Authors

Hassanali Vatanparast (1-306-966-6341; vatan.h@usask.ca), Jennifer L. Adolphe and Susan J. Whiting are with the College of Pharmacy  and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5C9.

What is already known on this subject?

  • Diet quality is linked to socio-economic status―higher-quality diets tend to be associated with greater affluence.
  • Vitamin/Mineral supplements offer the possibility of improving micronutrient intake and achieving recommended levels among people who consume a nutrient-poor diet.
  • Evidence points to a link between the use of supplements and income and education. 

What does this study add?

  • This is the first study based on nationally representative data to examine determinants of supplement use in Canada.
  • In all age groups older than 14, a higher percentage of females than males took supplements.
  • The prevalence of supplement use was highest among women aged 50 or older, at least 60% of whom reported taking vitamin/mineral supplements in the past month.
  • Socio-economic gradients in supplement use were evident for most adult age/sex groups.
  • These findings support the literature on supplement use from the United States and indicate a  potential health disparity in access to vitamin/mineral supplementation.

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