Did you take your (multi)vitamins today?

source:http://www.elcivics.com/lifeskills/healthy-food-1.html

The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently reported that about half of U.S. adults take vitamin supplements. I guess the other half doesn't. 

What really struck me about this report is that it stated that most people who take supplements and multivitamins are educated, have good incomes and eat a balance diet, which means that they get all the nutrients they need from their diets. Essentially, they don't need to take a multivitamin or supplement tablets.

As a health graduate student, this information begs the questions as to whose not getting the necessary nutrients that they need? Who are the other half? Answer: The poor and low income. Well, why aren't they getting the nutrients that they need? and What factors are preventing them from getting enough vitamins and nutrients? Do they even perceive that they are not getting enough nutrients?

How can I (as a soon to be individual in the Health Promotion field), encourage low-income individuals to take multivitamins? or allow them to see that there is a benefit in consuming a balance diet to get the added nutrients they need or even taking a multivitamin if they perceive that they are not getting the nutrients from their diets? These are the questions that consume me.

What are your thoughts on the matter? (Don't be afraid to comment). The complete report from the CDC can be found here.

Be well,
Lilia

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