Dietary supplements were used among 4 to 8 year old children at the rate of 48.5%. Specifically, the researchers found that five-year-old children take supplements at the highest rate of 49.0%. Infants younger than one year of age used dietary supplements at only a rate of 11.9%. Teenagers, between 14 and 18 years of age, were at 25.7% of usage.

White children had the highest usage at 38.1%. Mexican American children were at 22.4%. Lowest of the groups studied were African Americans at 18.8%. Males and females were found to be just about equal in percentages.

Multivitamins and multi-minerals were used the most, at 18.3%. Ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, retinol, and vitamin D were the vitamins and minerals most frequently taken.

Dietary supplements were taken more often in families with higher incomes and in environments that were smoke-free.

The result of the Picciano study is published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (volume 161, page 978). The article’s title is “Dietary Supplement Use Among Infants, Children, and Adolescents in the United States, 1999-2002.” Picciano’s collaborators include: Johanna T. Dwyer, Kathy L. Radimer, David H. Wilson, Kenneth D. Fisher, Paul R. Thomas, Elizabeth A. Yetley, Alanna J. Moshfegh, Paul S. Levy, Samara Joy Nielsen, and Bernadette M. Marriott.

The purpose of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), a part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is “to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population.”

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