Analysis of Dietary Supplement Use and Influencing Factors in the Mongolian Population

Zhidi Wang; Wuyun Tana Li; Yumin Gao; Xin Xue; Hui Pang; Wenli Hao; Yuan Xia; Shiqi Wang; Xiong Su; Lingyan Zhao; Minhui Li

doi:10.1155/2022/4064588

Analysis of Dietary Supplement Use and Influencing Factors in the Mongolian Population

Biomed Res Int. 2022 Mar 22:2022:4064588. doi: 10.1155/2022/4064588. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Zhidi Wang¹, Wuyun Tana Li^{1

2}, Yumin Gao^{1

2}, Xin Xue¹, Hui Pang^{1

2}, Wenli Hao^{1

2}, Yuan Xia^{1

2}, Shiqi Wang^{1

2}, Xiong Su^{1

2}, Lingyan Zhao^{1

2}, Minhui Li^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
² Laboratory for Molecular Epidemiology in Chronic Diseases, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China.
³ Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Inner Mongolia Medical University), Hohhot, China.
⁴ Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Institute of Chinese and Mongolian Medicine, Hohhot, China.

Abstract

Objective: Dietary supplements (DS) may improve micronutrient deficiencies, but the unique eating habits and cultural customs of the Chinese Mongolian population affect their choice of DS. Therefore, this study adopted a cross-sectional method to explore the current status of DS use and to assess the influencing factors in the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia, China.

Methods: We used a multistage random cluster sampling method to select 1,434 Mongolian people aged ≥ 18 years in Hohhot and Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia. Data regarding general patient characteristics and DS use through questionnaire surveys were obtained, and the blood plasma was collected for biochemical index detection. The binary logistic regression and decision tree algorithm were used to predict the factors influencing DS use among the Mongolian population.

Results: Among 1,434 participants that completed the baseline survey, the usage rate of DS was 18.83%, and more women than men used DS (P = 0.017). Higher use of DS was reported among individuals aged ≤ 34 years, but this difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.052). Usage rate was higher among those living in urban areas (P < 0.001), those with higher education (P < 0.001), those engaged in mental work (P < 0.001), and nonsmokers (P = 0.019). The biochemical test results showed that the proportion of people with abnormal total cholesterol levels using DS was lower (P = 0.003), but that of those with abnormal triglyceride levels using DS was higher (P = 0.001), compared with the proportion of those with normal levels in each case. The most commonly used supplement was calcium (58.15%). Education level was the main factor affecting DS intake. The results of the binary logistic regression model and decision tree model both showed that region, educational level, and abnormal triglyceride levels were significant factors influencing DS intake among Mongolians.

Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that DS intake is uncommon in the Mongolian population. In addition, sex, region, education level, and triglyceride levels may influence DS use.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Asian People*
China / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dietary Supplements*
Female
Humans
Male
Triglycerides

Substances

Triglycerides