Predictors of fish oil supplement use in Northern Irish adults

Abstract

Background: Although fish oil (FO) supplementation has reported health benefits, few studies have examined individual motivation to take it. Objectives: To investigate how socio-demographic variables, perceptions and attitudes of the risks and benefits associated with taking FO supplements predicted their use. Methods: A cross sectional study comparing attitudes to FO supplementation in users and non-users, in a sample of 912 community dwelling Northern Ireland adults, aged 18-80 years. A questionnaire assessed attitudes to FO use, perceptions of risks and benefits of taking the supplement, and its use as part of a healthy lifestyle and diet. Findings: Users of FO supplements had more positive attitudes towards its usage than non-users. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that FO supplementation use was predicted by being older, being male, having perceived health benefits, being necessary for a healthy lifestyle and having medicinal benefits, accounting jointly for 77% of the variance in use. Discussion: The attitudinal predictors of FO supplementation could be used to develop more effective ways of promoting this supplement in groups that would benefit from its use.