DIETARY-INTAKE OF FAT, FIBER AND OTHER NUTRIENTS IS RELATED TO THE USE OF VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS IN THE UNITED-STATES - THE 1992 NATIONAL-HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY

Supplement intake is hypothesized to increase the risk of some disease s while decreasing the risk of others. Both diet and lifestyle behavio rs, however, may be associated with supplement use and confound observ ed associations. Nutrient intake from a food frequency questionnaire, demographic characteristics and lifestyle among supplement users and n on-users were examined in 11,643 adults who participated in the 1992 N ational Health Interview Survey Epidemiology Supplement. Forty-six per cent reported taking a supplement in the past year; 24% reported daily use. Daily use was highest among women, whites, those 75 y of age or older, those at or above the poverty level, those with more than 12 y of education, former smokers, and light drinkers consuming less than o ne alcoholic beverage per week. When controlled for sociodemographic f actors, smoking status and drinking habits, there were no significant (P < 0.01) differences in dietary nutrient intake between daily and oc casional supplement users. Compared with those of nonusers, diets of v itamin supplement users were lower (P < 0.001) in fat and higher in fi ber and vitamins A and C for both men and women and higher in Vitamin E and calcium for women only. In general, diet, demographic and lifest yle characteristics of supplement users are typical of patterns associ ated with low risk of chronic disease.