| Abstract [eng] |
Research validity: People are increasingly incorporating food supplements into their diets (1) – these are food products intended to supplement a normal diet, which are concentrated sources of one or more nutritional or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect (2). In Lithuania, there is a lack of recent, representative studies that would comprehensively reveal how and why the population consumes food supplements, what factors determine their choices, and how individuals evaluate this practice themselves. The aim of research work: to evaluate the peculiarities of dietary supplement consumption among the Lithuanian population. Tasks of work: 1. To evaluate dietary supplement consumption among the Lithuanian population: prevalence of use, reasons for consumption, and types of dietary supplements used. 2. To assess the main selection criteria that the Lithuanian population follows when choosing dietary supplements. 3. To evaluate changes in dietary supplement consumption habits among the Lithuanian population. 4. To assess the intentions of the Lithuanian population to use dietary supplements in the future and the reasons for such choices. Materials and methods: the study was conducted in October 2024 through a representative cross-sectional survey of the working-age Lithuanian population (n=1600). A multi-stage stratified probability sampling method was employed to ensure representativeness, and data were collected via an online survey using an original, validated questionnaire. Statistical data analysis was performed using MS Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software. Pearson’s chi-square (χ2) test was used to identify relationships between variables. Results were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results and conclusions: The analysis of the data revealed that food supplement consumption in Lithuania is widespread but characterized by distinct sociodemographic differences: they are more consistently used by women, older individuals, urban residents, and those with higher education. Statistically significant correlations were identified between gender (p=0,005), education (p=0,05), place of residence, and consumption behavior. The primary motives for use are preventive (strengthening the immune system, maintaining overall health and heart function), while the most popular preparations are vitamin D (36,2 %), magnesium (31,8 %), and multivitamin complexes (28,5 %). It was found that residents prioritize physician or pharmacist recommendations (p=0,001) and product purpose, while price remains an important criterion in lower-income groups. Over the past year, consumption was most stable among those with higher education and higher incomes, whereas the most significant changes were recorded in the youth group (p=0,001). Future intentions to use supplements remain prevalent and are directly linked to gender, education, and income level (p=0,001). |
