Factors related to dietary supplement behavior consumption: A case study of undergraduate university students, in the northern Thailand

Abstract

This research  is  a  cross-sectional  study  on  Dietary supplement consumption behavior, and factors related to dietary supplement consumption behavior of students in a Public Health  program of a university in northern, Thailand. Samples were 321 students. Data were  collected  from  questionnaires  and    analyzed  by  using percentage, mean and  Chi-square.

The results showed that majority samples were female (85.7%) under the age of 22 years (68.8%), With average GPA between2.01-3.00 (70.1%), majority in Community hygiene discipline (46.7%) with monthly income of below or equal to 6,000 baht (54.5%) majority of samples had higher consumption of dietary supplements (58.6%). The attitude of dietary supplements with at a moderate level (46.3%). majority of samples were influenced by mass communication (53.6%), and had moderate consumption behavior (72.6%)

The factors associated with the consumption habits of dietary supplements were found to be revenue and influence from mass communication on consumption of dietary supplements. These factor were associated with a statistical significant intake of dietary supplements at the level of 0.05 (P-value = 0.047, 0.008, respectively). Results of this research can be used as the basis for the planning to educate and promote the attitude of proper dietary supplements or to provide behavioral modification activities, which would had to a people habits of dietary supplements consumption.