International Journal of Sport Nutrition · 1999 · 115 citations · 0 references
AgricultureNutritionNutritional SciencesHuman NutritionNutritional EpidemiologySports NutritionDietary Sources Of MicronutrientsDietary Supplement InformationFemale Athlete NutritionVitamin B12 PhysiologyVitamin BiochemistryVitamin NutritionB VitaminsCompetitive AthletesDietary Patterns For AthletesFemale Athlete SupplementationMicronutrient Status In AthletesSports Nutrition SupplementsSports Supplement UseSupplement Dosage
The study examined how gender, ethnicity, and sport influence varsity athletes’ vitamin and mineral supplement use. The sample comprised 411 varsity athletes (145 females, 266 males) from 22 teams, with 80% Caucasian, 12% African American, and 8% other. More than half of athletes used supplements, with males more likely to cite cost as a barrier and to take B12 and A, females more likely to take calcium and iron, African Americans most likely to take vitamin A, and supplement use and information sources varying by gender, ethnicity, and sport.
The influences of gender, ethnicity, and sport of varsity athletes on their vitamin/mineral supplementation habits were examined. Subjects included 145 females and 266 males from 22 varsity teams; 80% were Caucasian; 12% African American; and 8% Combined-Other. Over half of the subjects took supplements. Males were more likely than females to give "too expensive" as a reason for not taking supplements, and "improve athletic performance" and "build muscle" as reasons for taking supplements. The most common supplement was multivitamins plus minerals. Females were more likely to take calcium and iron, and males vitamins B12 and A. African Americans were the most likely to take vitamin A. Males were more likely to get supplement information from nutritionists/dietitians and self, and females from family members or friends and physicians or pharmacists. Football players were more likely to get supplement information from nutritionists/dietitians, and males in other sports from coaches/trainers. There were some differences in vitamin/mineral supplement habits of the athletes by gender, ethnicity, and sport.