Use of complementary medicine and dietary supplements among U.S. adolescents.

Purpose: Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing, but some dietary supplements have potentially negative side effects. This study examines CAM and dietary supplement use among a national sample of adolescents.

Methods: A total of 1280 adolescents 14-19 years old completed an online survey in 2002 about lifetime and past-30-day use of all CAM modalities, and specifically about use of herbal medicines and dietary supplements.