Complementary health approaches and dietary supplement use trends among U.S. college students: A brief report.

OBJECTIVE: Examine differences over time in use of complementary health approaches (CHA) and dietary supplements among college students. PARTICIPANTS: Two samples of undergraduate students (Sample 1, N = 370; Sample 2, N = 482) from a midsized Midwestern university. METHOD: Using stratified random sampling, at two time points (spring 2008, spring 2019), students were surveyed. Frequency of CHA and supplement use in the past year were assessed and compared across the two time periods. RESULTS: Of the CHAs compared, 53% had changed in frequency of use with only the practice of yoga significantly increasing. As for supplements, 78% changed in their frequency of use with the rate of melatonin being the only significant increase. CONCLUSIONS: Although the reported use of many CHAs and supplements appeared to change in the time period between assessments, findings suggest that students still report using several CHA practices and, to a lesser extent, supplements.

Prevalence and Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Ivy League College Students: Implications for Student Health Services.

OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used and test the significance of demographics and social cognitive constructs as predictors of CAM use in a college sample. Secondary purpose was to guide the integration of CAM therapies into college health services. PARTICIPANTS: Random, stratified sample of 2,553 undergraduates and graduate students enrolled at Columbia University. METHODS: Web-based survey e-mailed to a random sample of 6,482 students. Regression analyses used to determine predictors of CAM use. RESULTS: Nearly 82% of respondents reported using at least 1 form of CAM in the last 12 months, the most common being nonvitamin, nonmineral (NVNM) products, yoga, deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, and meditation. Sex, student home origin, outcome expectancies, observational learning, and attitude toward CAM were found as significant predictors of CAM use. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing assessment of CAM use can assist administrators and providers to enhance college health services and programs.