Mineral Supplements, Multivitamins, and Energy Drinks are Commonly Consumed

Abstract

In India, there has been an increase in the use of energy drinks and dietary supplements. However, the benefit of taking multivitamins and nutritional mineral supplements on a regular basis is still debatable. The purpose of this study was to collect information on the types of nutritional mineral supplements and energy drinks consumed by school adolescents, with a focus on the impact of consumption on BMI (BMI). The study involved 120 high school adolescent students between the ages of 14 and 19. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Diet-related questions were asked using a 24-hour dietary recall method, and the questionnaire also determined their physical activity. The subjects' height and weight were measured, and their BMI was calculated. In this study, 55 percent of respondents said they had consumed energy and sports drinks in the previous two weeks, and 43 percent said they had consumed one or more types of multivitamin and nutritional mineral supplements without analysing their need or visiting a physician. Vitamin C (5%) and D (5%) were the most commonly consumed vitamins without a prescription, while iron (6%) and calcium (5%) were the most commonly consumed minerals without a prescription among the study participants. Curiosity was cited as a reason for using energy and sports drinks, followed by peer pressure, while students who consumed them cited perceived short-term health benefits and parental supply as common causes. The consumption of energy and sports drinks was also found to be statistically significant when measured by the body mass index (BMI). Thus, in order to be most relevant and effective, health education programmes should incorporate young people's perceptions, aspirations, and motivations into the planning of interventions and activities.