Prevalence of Intake of Dietary Supplements in the Population of Saudi Arabia– Jeddah

Albakri, Ibrahim Abdullah; Almalki, Mayssan Hussein; Bukhari, Samaher Maher; Ekram, Shahad Sami; Aldhubayi, Abdulrahman Khalid; Iqbal, Marium Mohammed; Al-Aloy, Yosra Abdallh Frag; Almazrou, Aljoharah Mohammed; Alotaibi, Abdullah Saud; Alruwaili, Madihah Nafea S; Alshamrani, Nourah Ali; Hussein, Zahra Jaber

doi:10.12816/0040102

Prevalence of Intake of Dietary Supplements in the Population of Saudi Arabia– Jeddah

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Najran University

² Batterjee Medical College

³ Um Alqura University

⁴ Qassim University

⁵ Taibah University

⁶ Almaarefa College

⁷ King Faisal University

⁸ Northern Border University

⁹ Taif university,

¹⁰ Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

10.12816/0040102

Abstract

Background: Several studies have shown micro-nutrient deficiencies in the Middle East region. Prominent defects in vitamin D, folate, and iron were especially noted. There are not many studies currently that tell us about the prevalence of dietary supplement intake in Saudi Arabia.
Aim: The aim was to observe the current prevalence of dietary supplement use in Saudi Arabia. We will also attempt to elicit the reason they take the supplements, and how it affects their overall quality of life.
Method: Cross-sectional study among 489 Saudi patients was without any exclusion criteria using a standard questionnaire. The study was held at the endocrinology department of King Abdul Aziz Hospital & Oncology Center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Results: The overall prevalence of multivitamin, mineral and supplement intake in the Saudi population was found to be 22%. Among them 16% were male and 24% were female.
Conclusion: Healthcare providers must spread more awareness about the potential benefits of dietary supplements in preventing non-communicable diseases.

Keywords