Beyond the Label: Survey Data on Dietary Supplement Use and Health Information Sources in Grades 8 to 12

Dietary supplements are easy for teenagers to find in stores and online. However, students may not fully understand how these products are regulated, labeled, and tested. This study used an anonymous questionnaire to examine supplement use, safety awareness, and health information sources among 61 students in Grades 8-12. Thirty-eight students (62.3%) reported using at least one dietary supplement. Responses about FDA oversight, independent testing, third-party certification, Supplement Facts labels, and professional guidance were mixed. Students also reported getting health information from school, healthcare professionals, family, friends, social media, and other online sources. These results provide a small health data set that can guide future e-health education. A simple digital activity using product labels and online claims may help students judge health information more carefully.