Pattern of dietary supplement use and its psychosocial predictors among females visiting fitness centers in Saudi Arabia: Findings from a cross-sectional study.

Background: Establishing a balanced diet is necessary for obtaining the required daily micronutrients and macronutrients. However, the importance of using dietary supplements to complement one's diet is a significant aspect to consider. While studies have reported the prevalence and patterns of dietary supplements in Saudi Arabia, most focused on university students, women in their reproductive life-particularly during pregnancy-or male athletes. Hence, the objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and patterns of dietary supplement usage, along with the associated sociodemographic and psychiatric predictors among women attending fitness centers in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized using a structured questionnaire to collect data on dietary intakes such as consumption, nutrition supplements, type of nutrition supplements, and reason for consuming dietary supplements. Data collection occurred in female fitness centers, with participants accessing the questionnaires through QR codes linked to online Google forms. The dietary usage was assessed using a structured questionnaire developed by the study authors, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 scales, respectively. SPSS 23.0 was utilized to analyze the data, and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between sociodemographic and psychiatric predictors and patterns of dietary supplement usage. The results were presented by reporting an unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95 % Confidence Intervals (CIs).

Results: The total number of participants in this study was 453 women. Half of the 453 women (46.1 %) consumed dietary supplements, and (84.0 %) reported taking proteins, caffeine, creatinine, mineral salts, fish oil, and/or amino acids or a combination of these dietary supplements. A considerable number of women (41.0 %) reported that a doctor, dietitian, or trainer motivated them to take the dietary supplement, and (38.0 %) of women self-prescribed dietary supplements. More than half (51 %) of the women consumed dietary supplements to compensate for nutrient deficiency, and 48 % used them to improve their health. Women who did not work to earn were 53 % less likely to consume dietary supplements (AOR = 0.47; [95 % CI: 0.30-0.72]) than women who reported working to earn either in the private or government sector. Depressed women were (42 %) less likely to consume dietary supplements than non-depressed women (AOR = 0.58; [95 % CI: 0.33-0.99]) after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other medical conditions.

Conclusion: It has been evident that a large proportion of women enrolled in the fitness center report consuming dietary supplements, mostly to compensate for energy and to improve overall health. The findings highlight that non-working and depressed women were less likely to use dietary supplements than their counterparts. By understanding these patterns, the community can tailor health interventions and policies to ensure equitable access to proper dietary support, especially for those facing challenges like depression and unemployment. Future research on a larger sample of women outside fitness centers is encouraged to explore further dietary supplement consumption and patterns among diverse population groups, and to ultimately develop health guidelines for the appropriate use of supplements.