Supplement use, BMI, diet quality, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics of elderly age 60 and older: 1994--1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII)

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between elderly who supplement and elderly who do not supplement in BMI, diet quality, socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics. Data were collected from individuals age 60 years and older who participated in the 1994--96 CSFII. The sample population was divided 50/50 among those who indicated using vitamin and mineral supplements and those who indicated no supplement use. Supplement users were more likely to be female, non-black, well educated, from the western United States, fall above the poverty threshold, have a small household size, follow a special diet, have one or more self-reported physical conditions, were more likely to consume alcohol, and were less likely to smoke. Supplement users were found to have a lower BMI and higher nutrient intake from foods than nonusers. Results of this study are similar to previous studies.