Consumption Behavior of Dietary Supplements of Little Or-Yor Students Compared to General High School Students in Uttaradit

Abstract

Objectives:To determine and compare the differences in consumption behaviors of dietary supplements (CBDS) between consumer protection trained students (little Or-Yor or LOY students) and general students at high school levelinUttaradit. Methods:The study was analytical cross-sectional research conducted in 18 high schools of Uttaradit province. Two groups of students including 123 LOY students and 254 general students were recruited by simple random sampling from those having CBDS. Data were collected during aperiod of December 2018 to January 2019. Results: Demographicinformation of LOY students and general students were not significantly different. There were no differences in CBDS between groups, for instance receiving information about dietary supplements (DS) from television (84.2% and78.4%, respectively) and internet (81.5% and74.7%, respectively), and buying vitamin C (65.8%and 69.2%, respectively). The reasons for buying DS were the quality of the products (82.2%and83.9%, respectively) and those in family having an influence on purchasing decisions (69.2%and65.1%, respectively). The reason for consumption was taking as tonics (69.9%and 71.9%, respectively). The distribution preferable to purchase the products was drug stores (53.4%and59.9%, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between groups of students in 4 issues, namely the purchase of fish oil to nourish the brain (19.2 and 28.8%, respectively, P=0.030), the purchase of DS according to the current trend (15.1 and 7.9%, respectively, P=0.019), influential people on buying decision of DS or the dealer (17.1 and 31.2% respectively, P=0.002) and the purchase with the dealer/direct sales (19.9 ​​and 29.1%, respectively, P=0.038). The purpose for consuming DS was skin paleness (19.9 and 30.5, respectively, P=0.018) by buying glutathione (5.5% and 11.0%, respectively). Conclusion: CBDS was found in both LOY students and general high school students, with LOY students being better in purchasing DS, being not persuaded by dealers and the popularity of DS purchases from dealers or direct sales, and reasons for consuming DS for skin paleness etc. However, issue that general students being better included DS consumption according to popular trends and use of products by celebrities/singers. In general, there was no difference in both DS procurement and use. Uttaradit Provincial Health Office should use such information to develop training for LOY students, and general students together with classroom instruction to reduce the use of inappropriate health products.