Dietary Supplement Use among U.S. Children by Family Income, Food Security Level, and Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status in 2011–2014

This analysis characterizes use of dietary supplements (DS) and motivations for DS use among U.S. children (&le
18 years) by family income level, food security status, and federal nutrition assistance program participation using the 2011&ndash
2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. About one-third (32%) of children used DS, mostly multivitamin-minerals (MVM
24%). DS and MVM use were associated with higher family income and higher household food security level. DS use was lowest among children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP
20%) and those participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC
26%) compared to both income-eligible and income-ineligible nonparticipants. Most children who used DS took only one (83%) or two (12%) products
although children in low-income families took fewer products than those in higher income families. The most common motivations for DS and MVM use were to &ldquo
improve (42% or 46%)&rdquo
or &ldquo
maintain (34 or 38%)&rdquo
health, followed by &ldquo
to supplement the diet (23 or 24%)&rdquo
for DS or MVM, respectively. High-income children were more likely to use DS and MVM &ldquo
to supplement the diet&rdquo
than middle- or low-income children. Only 18% of child DS users took DS based on a health practitioner&rsquo
s recommendation. In conclusion, DS use was lower among children who were in low-income or food-insecure families, or families participating in nutrition assistance programs.