USE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN NUTRITION AMONG STUDENTS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES.

Dietary supplements are products that are popular in nutrition and can have an effect on maintaining health and well-being. The research aimed to gather data about how informed the student population of healthrelated and non-health-related study programs are, and the use of dietary supplements among them. Students in the first year of studies formed the group that participated in the research, a total of 95 students (males 37.9%, females 62.1%), with an average age of 20.54 ± 1.95. The research was conducted at the Department of Medical and Business-Technological Studies in Šabac. The data was gathered anonymously via a questionnaire on dietary supplements. All obtained results were processed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Office Excel. Out of the total number of surveyed, 58.95% responded that they use supplements. In health-related study programs, the frequency of use is 55.17%, and in nonhealth 60.61%. Insufficient information about the use of supplements was reported by a significant number of students in non-health-related study programs - 69.69% of respondents, whereas the number of such students in the study program Health Care and Pharmacy was 31.03%. Two or more supplements were used most often, and the most frequently used was vitamin C. Students of health-related study programs buy dietary supplements based on the recommendation of a pharmacist (69%), whereas with other students the recommendation from a friend or pharmacist is equally present (27%). Depending on the study program there is a certain difference in the students' attitude towards dietary supplements. Results show the students' tendency to use dietary supplements in nutrition and that they are insufficiently informed about their use. It is necessary to provide additional information to rationally and safely use dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]