This study was conducted to determine current awareness, extent of usage and perception of food supplements among adults from households in randomly selected barangays of Metro Manila included in the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) and to compare current data with the 1998 survey data. The multistage sampling design employed in the 7th NNS with the household as the ultimate sampling unit was used. The respondents’ awareness, usage, reasons for using food supplements, presence of illness or disease conditions, and perceived health status after using supplements were obtained by self-administered pretested questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to describe subjects’ profile. Test of proportions were computed to compare and determine any difference between the 1998 and 2008 survey data. A total of 1,809 adults from 148 sampled households were selected as respondents, 55.8% were females and 44.2% males. Majority of respondents, 85.6%, were aware of food supplements, compared with as only 37.5% in 1998. By gender, women were more aware and were users of food supplements than men in 1998 and 2008. Among food supplements, the single nutrient category had the highest consumption, (64.7%) by regular users, followed by combined nutrients 60.4% by regular and 36.9% sporadic users. Herbal supplements had 51.4% regular and 48.6% sporadic users. Some important reasons cited for using food supplements were: “they make me healthy,” and “they give me energy” and “they are doctor-recommended.” About 48% of users perceived themselves as “slightly improved,” 45% as “very much improved” and 6.7% perceived “no change.” Majority of respondents agreed that health supplements are needed if a person feels tired and run-down” and that “health supplements make one feel better physically.” The same proportion (53%) of respondents in both survey periods, agreed that “health supplements usually improve a person’s physical appearance.” For both survey periods, majority strongly disagreed that “one can skip meals and just take health supplements.” The level of awareness and usage of food supplements among adults in Metro Manila is significantly higher in 2008 than in 1998. For both survey periods, there is a strong belief on the positive effects of food supplements on one’s health status.

Objective: This study aimed to: 1) describe the current state of research activity/involvement and capacity among selected tertiary level government and private hospital dietitians; 2) identify factors associated with research capacity and involvement; and 3) develop policy recommendations to improve the current research activity/involvement towards evidence-based practice among hospital dietitians.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of randomly selected 181 hospital dietitians from selected hospitals in Metro Manila completed a pre-tested structured self-administered questionnaire, which elicited the socio-demographic characteristics, research activity/involvement, research capacity, perception, attitude and knowledge (PAK) of the respondents.

Descriptive statistics were generated. Pearson Correlation was determined between socio-demographic characteristics and research activity/involvement score and research capacity score. Linear multiple regression analysis was conducted to test whether perceptions, attitudes and knowledge score are factors that predicted research activity/involvement and research capacity.

Results: No significant difference was observed in hospital dietitians' research capacity scores based on gender, age, educational attainment, hospital affiliation, and job description. Majority (97%) of the hospital dietitians had very little participation (10%) or involvement in any type of research activity/involvement. The significant factors that were predictive of research activity/involvement scores and research capacity scores were percent of time for research and hours per week devoted to research, respectively. Percent of time for research was significantly predictive of research knowledge of respondents.

Conclusion: The findings in this present study showed the research activity/involvement and capacity of hospital dietitians in Metro Manila were dismally low. The significant factors that were predictive of research activity/involvement scores and research capacity scores were percent of time for research and hours per week devoted to research, respectively. To support the development of research capacity and involvement of hospital dietitians, policy-makers and healthcare organizations can optimize capability-building strategies at the academic level, hospital dietitian level, and institutional level.