The study analyzed intake of health supplements by high school students in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do areas and relevant factors in order to prevent overuse of health supplements and develop basic data required for nutrition education that helps teenagers ...
The study analyzed intake of health supplements by high school students in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do areas and relevant factors in order to prevent overuse of health supplements and develop basic data required for nutrition education that helps teenagers form sound and healthy eating habits.
As a result of the analysis on two groups – a supplemented group and a non-supplemented group – with demographic characteristics including gender, grade, residential area, allowance, parents' highest level of education , family type, study stress. academic grade, concentration and BMI, all factors except for residential area (X²=7.119, p<.01) did not have significant differences.
As for intake of nutritional supplements among health supplements, more people answered that they had not taken them. The most popular nutritional supplements were in the order of red ginseng, vitamin C and multiple vitamins, and the most answered ‘intake period’ was ‘Between one and three months.’ Aside from these, pear extract, senna leaf tea, bellflower extract, onion extract, boiled red ginseng, deer antlers, raspberry extract, pumpkin extract, etc. were commonly taken with the most answered intake period of ‘Between one and three months.’ As for the reason of taking nutritional supplements or health supplements, ‘Recommended by parents or others’ ranked the top. When being asked who influenced the most on intake of nutritional supplements or health supplements, a majority of the students said‘Parents.’ As a result of surveying subjective symptoms while taking nutritional supplements and health supplements, the most students answered ‘No big difference.’ When asked if they had concerns or difficulties while taking supplements, ‘No difficulties’ was most answered. For those who do not take health supplements, the biggest reason of not taking them was ‘Did not feel the necessity.’ There was no significant differences according to gender.
The survey for a health aids-supplemented group and a non-supplemented group on their perception on health supplements, which includes how much they are aware of the health supplements, if they check the product instructions or ingredient information when purchasing health supplements, if they recognize the <health supplements> and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) marks, and other knowledge and recognition on health supplements, revealed that there was no significant difference between the two groups.
When it comes to a test on nutrition knowledge, the two groups had no significant difference in scores; rather, the average score of the non-supplemented group was higher than the other.
As for survey on their daily habits, the two groups had significant differences in frequency of exercise (X²=8.874, p<.01); the supplemented group exercised more frequently than the non-supplemented group, indicating they are more concerned about health. On the other hand, no significant differences were found in spending hours on TV and games, sleeping hours, smoking and drinking alcohol.
The two groups did not had significant score differences in eating habits, but most people from the supplemented group tended to follow healthy diet guidelines than their counterparts.
In conclusion, the study revealed that the health aids-supplemented group and the non-supplemented group had no big differences in the perception on health supplements, nutrition knowledge, daily habits and eating habits. Most people overuse health supplements without accurate knowledge and information on necessary nutritions for their own body. Based on the results, it is considered that education and promotions about health supplements are necessary for high school students and their parents who recommend them to take health supplements to help them consume balanced nutritions required for the growth period.