Table_1_Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Nutritional Supplement Use Among Older Chinese Adults: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in China.DOCX

ObjectiveThis study identified the prevalence of nutritional supplement (NS) use among older Chinese adults and explored the factors associated with NS use in this population.
MethodsWe used data from 11,089 Chinese men and women aged ≥ 65 years from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The chi-square test was used to examine the differences in demographics, health status and lifestyles at different levels. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between NS use and demographic and lifestyle characteristics.
ResultsTwelve percent of Chinese adults aged 65 years and above used NS. In terms of the type of supplement used, the most commonly used was calcium (8.49%), followed by protein (2.73%) and multivitamins (2.40%). In terms of demographic characteristics, women, older people, urban residents with other marital status, higher educational level, better living conditions and better lifestyle habits showed a greater use of some kinds of NS to varying degrees. Factors associated with the use of any NS included female gender [OR = 1.71, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.09–1.44], age 85–94 (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.08–1.58), urban household registration (hukou) (OR = 1.25, 95% CI:1.46–2.00), higher education (primary school and middle school: OR = 1.32, 95% CI:1.14–1.52; high school and above: OR = 1.56, 95% CI:1.25–1.94), average and poor living standard (average: OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.56–0.73; poor: OR = 0.42, 95% CI:0.32–0.55), poor health status (OR = 1.36, 95% CI:1.13–1.63), former smoking (OR = 1.33, 95% CI:1.11–1.60), and having exercise habits (former exercise: OR = 2.24, 95% CI:1.83–2.74; current exercise: OR = 2.28, 95% CI:2.00–2.61). Women reported taking 2–3 kinds of NSs, and more than 50% of NS users reported taking supplements often.
ConclusionThis study provides information on the current prevalence of NS use among older Chinese adults, and it clarifies the association of NS use with demographic, lifestyle and other factors. Providing scientifically based health guidance on NS use for older people is crucial to promoting their health.

研究目的 本研究明确了中国老年人群营养补充剂（Nutritional Supplement, NS）的使用现况，并探讨了该人群中与营养补充剂使用相关的影响因素。
研究方法 本研究使用2018年中国纵向健康长寿调查中11089名年龄≥65岁的中国男性与女性的数据。采用卡方检验（chi-square test）分析不同分组在人口学特征、健康状况及生活方式上的差异；采用多因素logistic回归（multivariate logistic regression）评估营养补充剂使用与人口学及生活方式特征之间的关联。
研究结果 中国65岁及以上老年人群中，营养补充剂的使用率为12%。在所使用的补充剂类型中，最常用的为钙剂（8.49%），其次为蛋白质补充剂（2.73%）与复合维生素（2.40%）。人口学特征分析显示，女性、高龄老年人、城镇户籍居民、婚姻状况非单一者、受教育水平更高者、生活条件更优者以及生活习惯更健康者，在不同程度上更倾向于使用各类营养补充剂。与营养补充剂使用相关的因素包括：女性性别（比值比（Odds Ratio, OR）=1.71，95%置信区间（95% Confidence Interval, 95%CI）：1.09–1.44）、年龄85~94岁（OR=1.30，95%CI：1.08–1.58）、城镇户籍（hukou，OR=1.25，95%CI：1.46–2.00）、较高受教育水平（小学及初中：OR=1.32，95%CI：1.14–1.52；高中及以上：OR=1.56，95%CI：1.25–1.94）、中等及较差生活水平（中等：OR=0.64，95%CI：0.56–0.73；较差：OR=0.42，95%CI：0.32–0.55）、健康状况较差（OR=1.36，95%CI：1.13–1.63）、曾吸烟（OR=1.33，95%CI：1.11–1.60）以及有运动习惯（既往运动：OR=2.24，95%CI：1.83–2.74；当前运动：OR=2.28，95%CI：2.00–2.61）。此外，女性报告服用2~3种营养补充剂，且超过50%的营养补充剂使用者表示规律服用补充剂。
研究结论 本研究明确了中国老年人群营养补充剂的使用现况，并阐明了营养补充剂使用与人口学特征、生活方式及其他因素之间的关联。为老年人群提供基于科学依据的营养补充剂使用健康指导，对促进其健康水平具有重要意义。