Survey: Supplement users make healthier lifestyle choices

WASHINGTON — When it comes to healthy habits, dietary supplement users appear to make healthier lifestyle choices overall than nonusers, according to a recent study by the Council for Responsible Nutrition released Thursday.

According to the most recent CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, supplement users engage in the following healthy habits in higher percentages than do those who don’t take vitamins, minerals and other supplements:

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  “I try to eat a balanced diet.” Supplement users, 84%; nonsupplement users, 76%;

  
  


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  “I visit my doctor regularly.” Supplement users, 73%; nonsupplement users, 62%;

  
  


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  “I regularly get a good night's sleep.” Supplement users, 70%; nonsupplement users, 63%;

  
  


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  “I exercise regularly.” Supplement users, 64%; nonsupplement users, 54%; and

  
  


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  “I maintain a healthy weight.” Supplement users, 63%; nonsupplement users, 57%.

  
  

“Our study suggests that the majority of supplement users tend to be healthy people with positive attitudes about their diets and their overall health," stated Judy Blatman, SVP communications at CRN. "Given the daily challenges so many people face, making smart choices — such as incorporating dietary supplements into an existing wellness routine — can help many people reach their wellness goals and live healthier lives.”

The study also found that more than two-thirds (69%) of U.S. adults take dietary supplements. When asked why, 58% of supplement users said they took dietary supplements for overall health and wellness; additionally, 42% of supplement users said it was to fill in nutrient gaps in their diet.

The 2011 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements was conducted Aug. 25 to 29, 2011, by Ipsos Public Affairs and funded by CRN. The survey was conducted online and included a national sample of 2,015 adults ages 18 years and older from Ipsos’ U.S. online panel. The survey has been conducted annually since 2000.

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