Use of supplements by Taiwanese adults aged 19-44 during 2005-2008

The aim of the study was to understand the use of supplements in Taiwan. Data used in this study came from the 2005-2008 Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. The total sample available for analysis of supplement use included 973 adults (485 men and 488 women), aged 19-44 years. Survey data were weighted to adjust for the survey design effect and to make the sample nationally representative. Our results showed that 33.2% of Taiwanese adults aged 19-44 took supplements (26.6% of men and 40.0% of women). Gender was the only demographic factor found to be associated with the total number of supplement types taken. Men were more likely to take only one supplement. In contrast, women were 2.6 times more likely than men to take two or more supplements. The most commonly taken supplements by adults were multivitamins and minerals (35.8%), followed by vitamin B group (20.6%) and calcium (9.3%). We found that in both men and women, nutrient intakes from supplements exceeded DRIs for vitamins A, D, E, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, pantothenic acid and biotin. Men were more likely than women to take excess iron. Women were more likely than men to take excess vitamin C and niacin. Our study results may be used by government agencies to develop policies regarding supplement use in Taiwan.