Jeff M. Housman, MEd, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 118 GRW, College Station, TX 77843-4243, (979)845-2075, jhousman@hlkn.tamu.edu and Ranjita Misra, PhD, CHES, Health&Kinesiology Department, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, 158P Read Building, College Station, TX 77843-4243.

The Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (1994) expanded the definition of supplements and opened the market to new ingredients that would have otherwise needed safety testing. Use of dietary supplements among individuals aged 15 to 28 years is well documented. However, there exists little research on (1) the number and type of dietary supplements used among college students and (2) association between supplement use with their knowledge regarding food labels, attitude towards food labels, and label reading behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine the use, amount, and type of nutritional supplements consumed by college students and its relationship to knowledge, attitude, and label reading behavior. A convenience sample (N=1300) of undergraduate students attending several sections of two required health classes at Texas A&M University was surveyed. Information was collected using a modified version of an instrument (57 items) developed by Marietta. Preliminary results (n=698) indicated that supplement use was significantly related to favorable attitudes towards food labels (r = 0.098, p<.05), and label reading behavior (r = 0.191, p<.01). However, supplement use was not associated with students’ knowledge of food labels or diet-disease relationships. Use of dietary supplements differed by age and gender, with females and younger participants consuming significantly more than males and the older participants. Vitamin (80%), protein (18%), and weight loss supplements (6%) ranked as the top three types of supplements consumed by the respondents. Implications for nutrition professionals and education programs for college students will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe dietary supplement safety testing regulations and policies increasing availability of dietary supplements to college students.
• List the dietary supplements most commonly consumed by college students.
• Discuss possible strategies for reduction of dietary supplement consumption by college students.

Keywords: College Students, Food Safety

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.