Awareness of the Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Students in a University in Saudi Arabia

Table 3

Consumption pattern of dietary supplements.

Dietary supplement consumption pattern	Frequency (%)
Why do you take dietary supplements?
Weight reduction	59 (7.8)
Enhancing health	322 (42.4)
Increase in muscle mass	32 (4.2)
For aesthetic reasons	346 (45.6)
Total	759 (100)
Where do you usually buy dietary supplements?
Pharmacies	515 (67.9)
Electronic websites	110 (14.5)
Social media sites	28 (3.7)
Stores where dietary supplements are sold	106 (13.9)
Total	759 (100)
Who advised you to use dietary supplements?
Doctor or nutritionist	329 (43.4)
Scientific magazines	16 (2.1)
Friends	199 (26.2)
Websites or social media	201 (26.5)
TV ads or magazines	14 (1.8)
Total	759 (100)
What kind of supplements do you normally consume?
Vitamins	271 (35.7)
Minerals	85 (11.2)
Amino acids	11 (1.5)
Fats	59 (7.8)
Dietary fiber	27 (3.7)
Herbs	9 (1.2)
More than one type	297 (39.1)
Total	759 (100)
How many dietary supplements do you usually take at the same time?
One	512 (67.5)
Two	210 (27.7)
Three or more	37 (4.9)
Total	759 (100)
How many times per week do you take dietary supplements?
>5	266 (35.1)
2–5	230 (30.3)
<2	263 (34.7)
Total	759 (100)
Do you usually continuously take them for more than three months without medical advice?
Yes	117 (15.4)
No	504 (66.4)
Sometimes	138 (18.2)
Total	759 (100)
Have you noticed benefits from taking supplements?
Yes	447 (58.9)
No	108 (14.2)
I do not know	204 (26.9)
Total	759 (100)
Will you buy them again in the future?
Yes	271 (35.7)
No	83 (10.9)
When necessary	405 (53.4)
Total	759 (100)