Use of vitamin and mineral supplements among adolescents living in Germany-Results from EsKiMo II.

Dietary supplements may contribute to nutrient intake; however, actual data on dietary supplement use among adolescents living in Germany are rare. The aim of this analysis was to describe the current use of dietary supplements, its determinants, and reasons of use. Changes in supplement use over time were evaluated by comparing the results with those from EsKiMo I (2006). Data from the Eating Study as a KiGGS Module EsKiMo II (2015-2017) were used to analyze supplement intake according to sociodemographic, health characteristics, and physical exercise behavior of 12-17-year-olds (n = 1356). Supplement use during the past four weeks was assessed by a standardized computer assisted personal interview. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the association between supplement use and its determinants. Between 2015-2017, 16.4% (95%-CI: 13.0-19.7%) of the adolescents used dietary supplements, and its use decreased with lower levels of physical exercise and overweight. Most supplement users used only one supplement, often containing both vitamins and minerals. The most frequently supplemented nutrients were vitamin C and magnesium. The main reported reason to use supplements was 'to improve health'. Prevalence of supplement use was slightly lower in 2015-2017 than in 2006 (18.5%; 95%-CI: 15.8-21.2%). The results underline the importance of including nutrient intake through dietary supplements in nutrition surveys.

EsKiMo II - the Eating study as a KiGGS Module in KiGGS Wave 2.

Nutrition plays an important role for health, in particular of children and adolescents. In addition to the baseline German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS, 2003-2006), the nutrition survey EsKiMo (Eating study as a KiGGS Module) assessed the dietary habits of children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 in detail. In KiGGS Wave 2 (2014-2017) the corresponding module is EsKiMo II. Between June 2015 and September 2017, specially trained nutritionists will visit EsKiMo II participants at their homes. The parents of 6-to 11-year-olds are instructed on how to complete food records on four randomly chosen days - three consecutive days, followed later by an additional day. Participants aged 12 to 17 are interviewed personally on their food intake during the past four weeks with the dietary interview programme DISHES. Further information, for example, regarding dietary supplements is also recorded. EsKiMo II will provide an up-to-date and representative overview of the current nutrition status of 6-to 17-year-olds living in Germany, and it allows analysing changes in dietary behaviour over time. EsKiMo II can identify shortcomings in the nutrition of children and adolescents and thus may contribute with important information to nutrition and health policy.