[Intake of dietary supplements and nutritional behavior]

In recent years there has been a significant increase in the use of dietary supplements in Germany. Using data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey and the Nutrition Survey 1998, the differences in usual dietary intake between regular supplement users and others were examined. Regular supplement users have, on average, a more nutrient rich dietary pattern with a higher vitamin and mineral content. This was observed even after adjustment for age and total energy intake. Additional differences in other health relevant characteristics like body mass index, smoking habits, level of physical activity and social economic status between regular supplement users and others, indicate that the regular users show in general a more health conscious behaviour.