Dietary supplements use among children from south-eastern Poland

Aim of the study
All over the world people are increasingly turning to dietary supplements, the market for which is growing every year. Unfortunately, still little is known about the use of dietary supplements in paedia­tric population. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of use of dietary supplements among children in Lesser Poland Voivodeship and to verify the source of parents’ knowledge about dietary supplements.

Material and methods
A multiple-purpose survey was conducted anonymously among 229 parents of patients hospitalized in the Department of Paediatrics, University Children’s Hospital in Krakow. Each parent answered 41 questions regarding dietary supplements use in his/her hospitalized child throughout the whole child’s life. The data was statistically analyzed.

Results
71.4% of parents supply dietary supplements to their children, 57% admitted that they serve it daily. Parents most often give their children a single vitamin or mineral preparation (39.2%). Mostly the choice of a particular preparation was conditioned on the opinion of a physician (68%) or a pharmacist (37%). Families with a high socioeconomic status more often take advice from health professionals regarding their knowledge about supplements. Nearly half of the respondents admit that they do not have sufficient knowledge on the dietary supplements they give to their children.

Conclusions
Most parents give or gave dietary supplements to their children. Although a well-balanced diet provides all vitamins and micronutrients that young organisms need, many parents find it necessary to use dietary supplements. It is alarming how many people use alternative sources of information. It is necessary to educate and build awareness among parents that they take an active role and are responsible for their child’s health and that they should have reliable knowledge about the preparations they decide to give their child.