A Cross-Sectional Study on Consumption of Dietary Supplements and Health Status among College going Students

Abstract

The study was undertaken as a cross-sectional consumption analysis of dietary supplements and health status among college-going students. Dietary supplements are additional nutrients to diet in form of one or multiple vitamins, minerals, amino acid, fibre or any functional nutrient. The objective of the study is to compare the health status of college students who consume and don't consume dietary supplements. The sample selection of the study was done by Purposive Sampling. Numbers of subjects were 60. Subjects were divided in two groups (30+30). Data was collected from samples. This study was conducted in Rajasthan. Data collection was carried out through structured questionnaires created in Google form. In this study 4 statistical tools were used that are mean, standard deviation, variables and Student’s t-test. There were 21 males and 39 females, selected from different parts of Rajasthan. The age group of all samples lied between 18 - 24 years, while the mean age was found as 21.5 years (S.D. 3.53). When the t-test applied, statistically significant difference was found between two groups. In the results that group A which is consuming supplements showed better health status than who are not consuming. As for the consumption 60% of them were consuming protein powders for strength and muscle building, 20% for multivitamins to fulfil their nutrient requirements and few were taking revital to boost their immunity. Knowledge level of the group A was less than the group B as they were unaware about the meaning and health benefits of dietary supplements. Subjects who do not consume Dietary Supplements, not much in the favor taking them as they in their opinion it cannot be consumed on daily basis also most of them preferred balanced diet to overcome nutrient deficiencies.