ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dietary supplement-use and its relationship with demographics and lifestyle of medical interns. The study sample comprised 356 interns aged 23 to 25 years. Participants completed a questionnaire on dietary supplement-use during the month preceding the study, information on demographic characteristics and lifestyle was also obtained. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were employed to assess the correlates of dietary supplement-use. The prevalence of dietary supplement-use was about 33% (males 20.4% and females 43.2%, p<0.001). The most commonly-used dietary supplement was multivitamin/multivitamin-mineral (90.6% in males and 52.3% in females). Approximately 30% of supplements were used regularly (≥5 days/week) by all subjects. The most-frequently reported reasons for supplement-use in males were: enhancing daily energy/stamina (51.1%), poor food intake (13.3%) and, in females, were: improving health and nutritional status (39.3%) and reducing hair loss (23.4%). The decision to use dietary supplement was mostly driven by the interns themselves (56% in males, 61% in females). In the univariable analysis, men who exercised once or twice a week were less likely to use supplements compared to those who reported doing exercise more than twice weekly (OR=0.35, 95% CI 0.12-0.98). Females who reported their health status to be ‘excellent’ were more likely to use supplements compared to those who described their health status as ‘moderate/poor/very poor’ (OR=2.53, 95% CI 1.15-5.56) as were women who mentioned their breakfast consumption status as ‘always’ (OR=2.69, 95% CI 1.47-4.92). In the multivariable analysis, only breakfast consumption was significantly related with dietary supplement-use in females (OR=2.20, 95% CI 1.11-4.38). In conclusion, dietary supplement-use among medical interns, especially among females, was relatively very common. Dietary supplement-use was related to a healthier lifestyle.
ABSTRACT
Background : Self-perception of weight status is an important factor in food consumption and weight-loss-related behaviors. Aims : To determine women's self-perception of weight status, married women's perception of their husbands' opinions regarding women's weight status, the relationship between socio-demographic factors and under-assessment of weight status in overweight/obese women. Settings and Design : In a cross-sectional study in the year 2003 in Islamshahr, 704 adult women aged 19 to 65 years were included. Materials and Methods : Women's self-perception of weight and married women's perception of husbands' opinions regarding women's weight status were compared with actual weight group categorized according to body mass index (BMI). Statistical Analysis Used : Results were expressed as frequency and percentage. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent effects of various socio-demographic factors on under-assessment of weight status in overweight and obese women. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL). Results : Overall, 48% (338) women misclassified their weight status relative to their actual weight. Married women's perception of husbands' opinion regarding women's weight status showed about 57% (266) misclassification. Multivariate regression analysis revealed place of residence and women's perception of husbands' opinion regarding women's weight status to be independently associated with under-assessment of weight status by overweight and obese women. Conclusions : Overweight and obese women's perception of their husbands' opinion regarding women's weight status has a significant effect on assessment of weight status by women. Women of Islamshahr should be taught to more accurately assess weight status and to initiate action to prevent or correct excessive weight.