Dietary Supplement Use in US Army Personnel: A Mixed-Methods, Survey and Focus-Group Study Examining Decision Making and Factors Associated With Use

Abstract

Background: Dietary supplement (DS) use by Army personnel is high and is a safety and readiness issue.

Objective: Our aim was to examine factors motivating use of DSs among US Army personnel and preferred safety education strategies.

Design: This mixed-method study used a validated DS questionnaire and subsequent focus groups that were formed based on questionnaire-identified demographic characteristics. An embedded qualitative dominant design was used.

Participants/setting: Data were collected from April to July 2015 from active duty soldiers at 3 military installations in the United States.

Main outcome measures: A self-report questionnaire (n = 289) provided data on demographic characteristics, health, exercise, detailed use, and attitudes regarding DS safety and efficacy. Fourteen focus-group sessions (n = 129) examined factors motivating DS use, education strategies, and identified themes and DS-related behaviors.

Statistical analysis performed: Descriptive statistics and χ² analyses were conducted.

Results: Of the soldiers who completed questionnaires, 83% were male, 60% were enlisted, and 40% were officers; mean age ± standard deviation was 27.6 ± 0.36 years and 75% used at least 1 type of DS per week: 52% used protein/amino acids, 47% used multivitamins/minerals, and 35% used a combination of products. Focus groups indicated reasons for use included physical appearance, fitness, peer endorsement, ease of access, limited availability of healthy food, occupational demands, and health. Participants requested education from an expert on safe use that was not focused on dangerous products.

Conclusions: Soldiers are high DS users, especially products marked for purported performance enhancement. Motivating factors for DS use are fitness/appearance and occupational demands, but soldiers lack knowledge of DS regulatory requirements and safety/efficacy. Soldiers wished to receive education on DSs from trusted health care professionals, such as registered dietitian nutritionists, that was not focused on dangerous products. Study findings suggest guidance and education should occur before periods of high DS use, such as deployment.

Keywords: Adverse effects; Education; Military personnel; Minerals; Protein supplements; Safety; Vitamins.