11.01.12
Sixty-eight percent of American adults take nutritional or dietary supplements, according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., based on data released from its annual consumer survey. The numbers are consistent with the previous years’ stats of 69% (2011), 66% (2010) and 65% (2009). According to results from the 2012 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements, regular supplement usage also remains steady—the online survey showed more than three-quarters of supplement users (76%) classify themselves as “regular” users, as opposed to occasional users (18%) or seasonal users (6%). In 2011, 77% of supplement users indicated they took supplements regularly; in 2010, 74% and in 2009, 73% indicated similarly.
“Year after year, our survey demonstrates that a sizeable portion of the American population values vitamins and other supplements as part of the things they do to maintain good health,” said Judy Blatman, senior vice president, communications, CRN. “From a publicity-generating standpoint, it would be interesting to see huge swings; but from a healthy industry perspective, it’s encouraging that two-thirds of adult consumers in this country continue to identify themselves as supplement customers, year after year.”
The survey also showed the multivitamin is still the most popular, with 52% of all adults reporting usage in the past 12 months. The number of individuals aged 35-54 who reported using a multivitamin increased 5% (54% vs. 49% in 2011). In addition to the multivitamin, omega 3/fish oil (21%), vitamin D (20%), vitamin C (19%) and calcium (17%) round out the top five. Consumer confidence in dietary supplements has also remained consistent in 2012, with 85% of American adults indicating they are confident in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements. Conducted annually since 2000, this survey included a national sample of 2,006 adults aged 18 and older from Ipsos Public Affairs’ U.S. online panel.
“Year after year, our survey demonstrates that a sizeable portion of the American population values vitamins and other supplements as part of the things they do to maintain good health,” said Judy Blatman, senior vice president, communications, CRN. “From a publicity-generating standpoint, it would be interesting to see huge swings; but from a healthy industry perspective, it’s encouraging that two-thirds of adult consumers in this country continue to identify themselves as supplement customers, year after year.”
The survey also showed the multivitamin is still the most popular, with 52% of all adults reporting usage in the past 12 months. The number of individuals aged 35-54 who reported using a multivitamin increased 5% (54% vs. 49% in 2011). In addition to the multivitamin, omega 3/fish oil (21%), vitamin D (20%), vitamin C (19%) and calcium (17%) round out the top five. Consumer confidence in dietary supplements has also remained consistent in 2012, with 85% of American adults indicating they are confident in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements. Conducted annually since 2000, this survey included a national sample of 2,006 adults aged 18 and older from Ipsos Public Affairs’ U.S. online panel.