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Table 1 KNOWLEDGE OF AND ATTITUDES ABOUT DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS by frequency of use |
Frequency of use:
Regu- Some- H. ever/
Total larly times Never
Follow news reports very/
fairly closely* 35% 56% 49% 27%
Very/somewhat familiar
with supplements* 55% 88% 83% 40%
Give supplements to kids
(have kids <18)* 18% 42% 40% 8%
Important to have access
to supplements* 60% 91% 84% 46%
Good for health/well-being* 52% 85% 76% 38%
Supplements can help people
with at least 4 of 6
illnesses* 36% 57% 47% 27%
Supplements are inadequately
tested* 48% 39% 44% 52%
Many supplements don't do
what ads claim* 49% 29% 36% 58%
Boosting immune system means:
Prevents illness* 64% 73% 63% 62%
Helps people when sick 43% 48% 45% 41%
People who use supplements
are hurt/sick often/
sometimes* 47% 38% 45% 50%
Know that govt doesn't
regulate supplements 53% 58% 46% 54%
Should be more govt
regulation of:
Safety 59% 55% 55% 62%
Purity/dosage 60% 55% 58% 62%
Ad claims 63% 62% 62% 65%
Extra regulation for
supplements produced
for children 77% 78% 77% 77%
If govt said ineffective,
would continue to use 72% 71% 72% NA
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| Note: * Significant difference between responses of those who use supplements regularly and those who use them hardly ever or never. Source: NPR/Kaiser Family Foundation/Kennedy School of Government Survey of Americans on Dietary Supplements, February 1999 |