Determinants of diet pill, powder and liquid use among young adults in private universities in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

The rise in overweight and obesity globally has facilitated the expansion of the weight-loss food, drinks, supplements, and services industry from a niche environment to the main market. Sales in the Thai dietary supplement  market have been increasing, and the causes of this trend are unclear as to what drives people to  purchase  them.  Hence,  this  study  explored  the  determinants  of  use  of  Diet  Pill,  Powder  and  Liquid (PPLs). A cross-sectional study of 400 young adults was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from students at different grade levels of two private universities in  Bangkok  during  May-July  2016.

This  study  showed  that  29.0%  had  used  diet  PPLs  before  and  2.8  %  regularly  used  diet  PPLs.   Fully 61.7%  of  users  took  pills/tablets,  while  liquid  formulations  were  least  popular.  The  reasons  cited  for  using diet  PPLs  include  fast  effect  (26.6%),  with  11.7%  each,  citing  reliability  of  the  product,  friends  using  and other  reasons.  Key  determinants  of  the  use  of  diet  PPLs  are  concern  about  body  shape  (Adj  OR=3.37, 95%CI=1.63-6.99),  friends’  use  (Adj  OR=4.52,  95%CI=2.28-8.96)  and  celebrity  influence  (Adj  OR=5.25, 95%CI=1.58-17.49).

There  is  a  need  to  monitor  the  consumption  of  PPLs  in  social  media,  and  provide  comprehensive information  on  safe, alternative  choices  for young  adults  concerned about  their  weight.