Patterns of dietary supplement consumption in men who have sex with men in Chiangmai province

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study dietary supplement consumption patterns of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chiang Mai Province, based on hemogenic and aesthetic criteria. Rapid ethnographic assessment was done with data collected by in-depth interviews from a targeted group of fifteen samples chosen by purposive sampling. Data was also collected by questionnaire, including attitudes about dietary supplement consumption in personal, family, organizational, community and public policy from September to December 2020. Results were that self-assessed dominant samples were motivated by building muscle and eliminating fat. Self-assessed submissive samples who considered themselves attractive sought appealing white and clear skin texture, focusing on promoting a holistic personality and adipose tissue reduction, differing from self-assessed dominant samples. Those who identified as mixed expression (versatile) sought an appropriately muscled appearance with an appealing skin tone that was not excessively white; instead, they aimed for a holistic personality and pleasing appearance. Their dietary supplement pattern was based on overall nutrition, without overemphasizing individual aspects. Patterns of dietary supplement consumption differed by personality type, instigating goals for promoting a holistic personality according to hemogenic and aesthetic criteria matching sexual norms reflected bodily. To prevent future health problems, adequate dietary supplement consumption should be evaluated.