Dietary Supplementation Practices Among Undergraduate Students in Greece During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with COVID-19-related Anxiety

• DOI: 10.5455/msm.2023.35.154-161
• Publication Date: 2023-06-10T17:32:30Z
• Authors: Lamprini Kontopoulou; Eleni Vasara; Eva Paraskevadaki; Georgios Karpetas; Ioanna Papathanasiou; Konstantinos Gour...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Dietary supplement; Multivitamin; Cross-sectional study; Dysfunctional family

Background: Despite the lack of evidence-based guidance on supplement use for prevention and treatment COVID-19, consumption dietary supplements has been shown to increase in many countries. Objective: This study aimed explore among undergraduate students. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between May June 2021, involving a total 536 participants (57.8% female) aged 18-30 years two university towns central northern Greece. Two validated questionnaires were used regarding stress during COVID-19. Results: The prevalence 67.5%. three most popular consumed vitamin C (65.2%), followed by D (58.3%), multivitamin mineral (56.9%). CAS-5 indicated that 13.1% students classified as having dysfunctional anxiety due COVID-19 (CAS-5 score ≥5). Logistic regression analysis showed those who exhibited ≥5 over times more likely consume compared no-stress (OR 2.29, 95%CI: 1.09-4.82). Particularly associated with CAS 2.18, 95%CI 1.22-3.89) finding not observed other types supplements. Conclusion: Women, passive smokers, believe DS are necessary pandemic also is widespread Greek Future studies should be monitor whether these increases maintained.