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Published:
Mar 12, 2024Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Trends and types of dietary supplement usage amongst people visiting fitness centers in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the trends in dietary supplement (DS) usage and its socio-demographic determinants amongst fitness centre users in Arar, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among people visiting different fitness centers in Arar, Saudi Arabia, between December 2022 and March 2023. The sample comprised 150 people (male and female) aged ≥ 18 years, who completed a self-administered questionnaire.
Results: More than half (63.3 %) of the gym users regularly used DS, while the rest used DS occasionally. Young age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.04), higher educational level (p = 0.006), single status (p = 0.001) and schooling (p < 0.001) had significant positive correlations with regular DS use, relative to occasional use. The most important reason for using DS was recommendation by physician (30.7 %), while the most common supplements used were multivitamins (alone or in combination with other drugs; 39.3 %). The participants were well-versed in the supportive role of DS, as well as the risks and adverse effects related to DS overuse.
Conclusion: The prevalence of DS usage is high among Saudi fitness center attendees, and it was significantly associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Furthermore, there are high levels of awareness among participants regarding the benefits and negative effects of DS.
