"America's Take on Vitamins" Survey Reveals: Vitamin intake is on the rise but healthy lifestyle habits lag behind

NORTH BERGEN, N.J., June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of Americans who take a vitamin or supplement continues to increase, according to the third annual "America's Take on Vitamins" survey from the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (NYSE: VSI). The survey revealed that 64 percent of Americans currently take a vitamin or supplement, up from 63 percent in 2012 and 60 percent in 2011. Conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of the Vitamin Shoppe, 1,000 U.S. adults were asked about their health habits to reveal America's view on the topic.

Although America's vitamin and supplement intake is in the rise, their healthy lifestyle habits are not. The survey found that most Americans (82 percent) don't eat three balanced meals per day.  The top excuses Americans give for skimping on healthy eating are healthy cooking takes too much time (37 percent) and that they work too much (29 percent).  In fact, 35 percent of respondents said they have gone one week or longer without eating a single fresh vegetable.

"It can be very difficult to maintain a balanced a diet when they are so consumed with work and family," said Sharon Richter, a Registered Dietician based in New York City. "A great way to fill those nutritional gaps is to incorporate vitamins or supplements into your daily regimen, especially when you're running around all day."

The survey found that there is a lack of knowledge among young Americans. One in four Americans between ages 18-34 are more likely to know the names of the Kardashian sisters than the five food groups.

Lastly, findings show there is a disparity among the sexes. Americans believe women are healthier eaters than men – by a long shot. An overwhelming majority of Americans (84 percent) believe women have healthier eating habits than men. Furthermore, 78 percent of Americans believe vitamins can help you perform better. Half (50 percent) of women believe vitamins will enhance their work performance while 43 percent of men turn to vitamins to help enhance their performance at the gym.

You can view the full survey findings below:

The Vitamin Shoppe's "America's Take on Vitamins"

1.  How many days per week, if any, do you take vitamins and/or supplements?

2.  Which of the following vitamins and supplements, if any, do you currently take? Please choose all that apply.

(Among those who take vitamins)

3.  Which of the following excuses are you most likely to use to skimp on healthy eating?

4.  In general, who has healthier eating habits – men or women?

5. In which of the following areas, if any, do you think vitamins and/or supplements can help you perform better?

6.  How often, if ever, do you bring vitamins and/or supplements with you when traveling?

7.  Which of the following are you more likely to be able to name?

8.  What is the longest you have ever gone without eating a single fresh vegetable?

9.  Have you ever, even once, given up wine in order to be healthier?

(Asked among those ages 21+)

10.   How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement – having a glass of wine with lunch can be good for you.

(Asked among those ages 21+)

11.  How often, if ever, do you get all of the nutrients you need from the food you eat?

12.  On average, how many days per week, if any, do you eat three balanced meals per day?

¹ All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100%.

² Data under "QuickFacts" were derived from the responses, not included as response options that were read during fielding. We include QuickFacts in instances where we feel they will be helpful.

About the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (NYSE:VSI)
The Vitamin Shoppe is a leading multi-channel specialty retailer of nutritional products based in North Bergen, New Jersey.  In its stores and on its website, the company carries one of the most comprehensive retail assortments in the industry, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and beauty aids.  In addition to offering 400 national brand products, the Vitamin Shoppe also exclusively carries products under The Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, True Athlete and MyTrition brands.  The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 600 company-operated retail stores under the Vitamin Shoppe, Super Supplements and Vitapath retail banners, and through its website, www.VitaminShoppe.com.  Follow the Vitamin Shoppe on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/THEVITAMINSHOPPE and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VitaminShoppe.

Methodological Notes:
The Vitamin Shoppe Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 U.S.  adults, ages 18+, between April 16^th and April 24^th, 2013, using a random-dialing telephone survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population ages 18+.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

SOURCE The Vitamin Shoppe