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Dergiler / Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 13 Issue: 1

Dietary Supplement Use and Its Determinants Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kadriye Toprak(ANKARA MEDİPOL UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-8706-8689
Esra Irmak(ANKARA MEDİPOL UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-5602-9468
Dilara Nur Kaplan(KARABUK UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-2625-5856
Gözde Şentürk(Ministry of Youth and Sports, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Directorate of Athlete Health and Performance)0000-0002-8705-6765
Şükrü Arman Aksoy(Etlik City Hospital Department of Nutrition and Dietetics)0000-0001-9522-0564
Pınar Göbel(University of Health Science Gülhane Faculty of Health Science Department of Nutrition and Dietetics)0000-0001-7152-1581
Sayfa
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Yayın Tarihi
2026-04-30
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⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

These results demonstrate the necessity of implementing programs that provide university students with information about dietary supplements and increase their awareness of this issue.

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Amaç & Hipotez:Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of dietary supplement use among university students in Türkiye, the motivations behind their use, their level of knowledge, and the factors influencing this situation.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri:Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey method between January and April 2024.
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Sonuç & Katkı:These results demonstrate the necessity of implementing programs that provide university students with information about dietary supplements and increase their awareness of this issue.
🔬Tür:Uygulamalı Anket & Alan Araştırması
📍Kapsam:2024 Verileri
⚙️Değişkenler:dietary supplements · students · health knowledge

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of dietary supplement use among university students in Türkiye, the motivations behind their use, their level of knowledge, and the factors influencing this situation. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey method between January and April 2024. A sample of 516 university students from various universities across Türkiye was recruited using snowball sampling method. A questionnaire developed by the researchers was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, dietary supplement use, and knowledge levels. Results: The analysis revealed that 44.4% of the participants used dietary supplements. The most commonly used supplements were vitamin D (17.0%), magnesium (15.8%), and vitamin B12 (13.1%). The most common reason participants preferred to use dietary supplements was their physician's recommendation (43%), followed by their own preference (21%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that high income level (OR = 8.34), being a Health Sciences student (OR = 0.329), and having a chronic disease (OR = 0.439) were statistically significant determinants of dietary supplement use. Additionally, participants were found to have insufficient knowledge regarding the non-pharmaceutical nature of dietary supplements. Conclusion: A considerable number of university students use dietary supplements, and health professionals have a significant influence in this regard. However, individuals acting on their own and the insufficient knowledge within society about this issue pose a risk of unconscious use. These results demonstrate the necessity of implementing programs that provide university students with information about dietary supplements and increase their awareness of this issue.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Toprak, K., Irmak, E., Kaplan, D. N., Şentürk, G., Aksoy, Ş. A., Göbel, P. (2026). Dietary Supplement Use and Its Determinants Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 13 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1776208

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