Research code: 162609975
Ethics code: IR.IAU.PS.REC.1402.011
Tabatabaie S M, Mojani-Qomi M S, Shiehmorteza M. Relationship between Consumption of Nutritional Supplements and Quality of Life: A cross-sectional study in University Students. J Health Syst Res 2026; 22 (2) :286-294
URL:
http://hsr.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2071-en.html
1- Student of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, TeMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (21 Views)
Background: Nowadays, the use of nutritional supplements is expanding. The present study, with an emphasis on girls' and young women's health, examined the attitude of supplement consumption and the relationship between dietary supplement consumption and quality of life in students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2023 among 378 subjects. The Standard Tool for Supplement Intake Assessment (DSQ), the quality-of-life index (SF-36), and a demographic questionnaire were employed to collect data. The participants' attitudes toward supplement intake were evaluated. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software.
Findings: The prevalence of supplement consumption among the participants was about 74%. Among supplement consumers, 80% believed that nutritional supplements are essential for health. No significant difference was observed between the physical health and mental health scores among supplement consumers and non-consumers
(P < 0.050). Despite higher scores and means on some of the different dimensions of quality of life in the supplement group (P < 0.050), this difference was only significant in the physical functioning dimension (P = 0.020). Correlation tests showed only a very weak inverse association between magnesium supplement use and the overall emotional health score (P = 0.046), and no association was seen between other supplement use and quality of life scores (physical health and emotional health). The effect of other variables using the linear regression test showed that studying in non-medical fields was a significant predictor of decreasing physical health scores, and increasing age and having chronic diseases also led to decreasing mental health scores (P < 0.050).
Conclusion: Education on the use of nutritional supplements is essential at the community level. Policies regarding the appropriate use of dietary supplements should be adopted.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
education health and promotion Received: 2025/05/20 | Accepted: 2025/12/23 | Published: 2026/06/22