| Abstract [eng] |
Aim: To determine the prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acid and fish oil supplementation among Vilnius University students. Objectives: To determine the awareness of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oil supplements among Vilnius University students. To determine the consumption patterns of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oil supplements among students at Vilnius University. To identify factors influencing the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oil supplements. Methodology: The study was carried out between February and April 2024. The research instrument is a quantitative research method, an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions. The participants were 88 women, 20 men and 1 person who did not specify his/her gender, current students of Vilnius University. Statistical data analysis was carried out using the statistical data analysis software package R Commander version 4.1.2. Results: The study found that 100% of respondents are aware that fish oil supplements are on the market. Most of the respondents found out about them from their parents and relatives, from pharmacists and on their own. The main reasons for taking fish oil supplements were maintaining general health and well-being, improving the immune system, and correcting deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet. The analysis of the consumption patterns of fish oil supplements among the respondents showed that 69.7% of the respondents consumed fish oil supplements, with the majority of the consumers being female, third year students (p<0.05), undergraduate and postgraduate students. The highest proportions of respondents across genders, courses and programmes of study started consuming fish oil supplements during childhood. Respondents mostly consumed fish oil on a daily basis or not systematically. The majority of respondents do not know how much polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids are present in their intake of fish oil supplements, with slightly fewer respondents indicating that their intake contains ≤500 mg or ≤1000 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The most popular pharmaceutical form of fish oil supplements is capsules. The most important motivating factors for taking fish oil were the desire to take care of one's own health, the influence of parents and relatives, and a recommendation from a doctor. Conclusions: 1. 100% of respondents know about fish oil supplements. The most common sources of information are parents and relatives, pharmacists, students also find out about these supplements on their own. The majority of respondents believe that fish oil supplements are recommended for improving general health and well-being, improving immune function and addressing dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiencies. 2. 69.7% of respondents use fish oil supplements. Women, undergraduate and postgraduate students, first and second year students are likely to consume it, while third year students are the most likely to consume it (p<0.05). The majority of respondents started taking fish oil supplements during childhood. The majority of respondents take these supplements daily. Most respondents do not know the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the fish oil supplements they consume, or their intake contains ≤500 mg of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The most popular pharmaceutical form of fish oil supplements is capsules. 3. The most important factors influencing the use of fish oil supplements are the desire to take care of one's health, the influence of parents and relatives, inadequate levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet, and the recommendation of a doctor. |
