Biostat Laboratory Activity #3

Research Capsule

Group No: 3 Section: 2A-PH Date: 2/26/2018 Score: ______

Group Members:

1. Cua, Anne 6._____________________________

2. De Dios, Ravana 7._____________________________
3. De Jesus, Angelica 8._____________________________
4. Emata, Lena 9._____________________________
5. Eugenio, Raphael 10.____________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
___

Topic: Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use among UST College Students

Proposed Title: The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement use among UST College Students ages
17-22

Introduction:
(3-5 paragraphs, not more than 1 page)

A number of students in the University of Santo Tomas take one or more dietary supplements
either every day or occasionally. Today’s dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbals
and botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other products. Dietary supplements come in a
variety of forms: traditional tablets, capsules, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars.
Popular supplements include vitamins D and E; minerals like calcium and iron; herbs such as
Echinacea and garlic; and specialty products like glucosamine, probiotics, and fish oils.

Many supplements contain active ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Always be
alert to the possibility of unexpected side effects, especially when taking a new product.
Supplements are most likely to cause side effects or harm when people take them instead of
prescribed medicines or when people take many supplements in combination. Some supplements
can increase the risk of bleeding or, if a person takes them before or after surgery, they can affect
the person’s response to anesthesia. Dietary supplements can also interact with certain
prescription drugs in ways that might cause problems.

Some examples of supplements that can have side effects are the following. Vitamin K which can
reduce the ability of the blood thinner Coumadin to prevent blood from clotting and antioxidant
supplements, like vitamins C and E, might reduce the effectiveness of some types of cancer
chemotherapy. This study is to find out the prevalence of dietary supplement use among UST
college students and their reason of intake.
Significance of the Study:
(2-3 paragraphs)

The prevalence of the use of dietary supplements, which are intended to provide the diet with
additional nutrients, has globally increased; thus, a number of studies on this topic have been
reported. Many of these studies have focused on the elderly population and patients, who often
use dietary supplements and frequently take medicines concomitantly.

Children are given dietary supplements by their parents, mainly because parents believe that their
children will not obtain sufficient nutrients from their diet. Parents tend to not only give their
children vitamin/mineral supplements but also herbs or other ingredients. The prevalence of
dietary supplements in preschool children and junior/high school students most likely reflects their
parents’ views. This study aims to find out the prevalence of dietary supplement intake among
college students who seem to use them by their own free will. Dietary Supplement manufacturers
will benefit from this study because they will have the information as to why people would want to
take dietary supplements and what age range among college students will most likely use dietary
supplements which may serve as their target consumers. It is important to know the prevalence of
dietary supplement intake of UST college students to provide information to other college students
on how frequent students use them and as to why they take these dietary supplements. Is it to
maintain a healthy lifestyle? Is it to provide more nutrients that can’t be obtained through eating
meals alone? And if majority uses it, it may influence people to use them as well.
Major Problem: What is the prevalence of dietary supplement use among UST College
Students?

Sub-Problems: Why do college students use dietary supplements? What is their reason of
intake?

Objectives of the Study:

General: The study aims to find out the prevalence of dietary supplement intake among UST
college Students ages 17-22.

Specific: The study aims to find out the different reasons as to why college students use
dietary supplements.

Research Simulacrum/framework/schematic diagram

Research Method /Procedure (flowchart)

The researchers made use of descriptive form of research, particularly of survey. In this cross-
sectional study, (# of) UST College Students belonging to 17-22 years of age completed a self-
administered online questionnaire that include sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics,
perceived health status, dietary supplement use, general awareness, attitudes and behavior.
Sample of Flowchart:

Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use Among UST College

Students ages 17-22
Taking Not Taking

12

10

0
17 18 19 20 21 22

Reasons of Intake

To Help Prevent Minor Illnesses Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

References (list alphabetically)

Etsuko Kobayashi, et al. The Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use among College Students: A
Nationwide Survey in Japan (September 20, 2017). Retrieved May 01, 2018 from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707722/pdf/nutrients-09-01250.pdf

Hanan Alfawaz, et al. Prevalence of dietary supplement use and associated factors among female
college students in Saudi Arabia (2017). Retrieved May 01,2018 from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5700706/pdf/12905_2017_Article_475.pdf

J. L. Greger. Bioavailability of Nutrients and Other Bioactive Components

from Dietary Supplements (2001). Retrieved May 01, 2018 from
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