Prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use and associated factors among Canadians: results from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey

Abstract

Vitamin/mineral supplements are used for improving micronutrient intake and preventing deficiencies, particularly for shortfall nutrients. We assessed the prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use and associated factors among a representative sample of Canadians aged ≥1 years. We used nationally representative data from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition. The prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use containing shortfall nutrients (vitamins: A, C, D, B6, B12 and folate; minerals: calcium, magnesium, and zinc) was examined in this study. Logistic regression models were performed to determine factors associated with vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian children (1–18 years) and adults (>19 years). The overall prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use was 38% among men and 53% among women. Males aged 14–18 years had the lowest prevalence (26.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 21.9–31.0) and females aged ≥71 years had the highest prevalence (67.8%; 95% CI = 64.1–71.5) of vitamin/mineral supplement use. Female gender, older age, higher education level, higher income, living in urban areas, having chronic conditions, having a normal body mass index (BMI), and being non-smoker were independent positive predictors of vitamin/mineral supplement use among adults. Independent positive predictors of vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian children included younger age, having a normal BMI, and being food secure. Novelty: The overall prevalence of vitamin/mineral supplement use among Canadian men and women was 38% and 53%, respectively. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were associated with vitamin/mineral supplement use, especially among Canadian adults.