Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several public interventions have been designed in recent years to urge the intake of vitamin D supplements among the senior population to avoid the direct and indirect consequences associated with vitamin D deficiency. However,the effectiveness of these public campaigns remains quite limited. In an online survey, the current study investigates attitudes towards vitamin D supplements intake and associated behaviours in a representative sample of Danish senior citizens (N=554)–that is, individuals aged 55 years and above. RESULTS: Approximately half of the sample reported taking vitamin D supplements in the preceding year. Furthermore, being male and having a positive perception of individuals’ own health status increased the probability of being a non-user. Increasing confidence in the information provided by health authorities (such as medical doctors and pharmacies) is particularly critical for enhancing the likelihood of non-users to purchase vitamin D supplements. However, also encouraging the uptake of vitamin D supplements in specialized supermarkets with stands and promotions seems an appealing and practical solution to increase seniors’ uptake of vitamin D supplements. CONCLUSIONS: The present study outlines the characteristics of senior Danish non-users of vitamin D supplements. Additionally, the research provides information on the strategies that could be applied by public organizations to foster vitamin D sup-plements intake among this target segment of the population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture |
| Volume | 103 |
| Issue | 13 |
| Pages (from-to) | 6233-6242 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISSN | 0022-5142 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- health status
- trust
- attitudes
- older adults
- information
- vignettes
- Humans
- Male
- Vitamins
- Vitamin D Deficiency/epidemiology
- Vitamin D
- Denmark
- Female
- Dietary Supplements