Use of dietary supplements: patterns, prevalence, and determinants among physically active adults in Albania

Introduction: Dietary supplements (DSs) are products intended to address nutritional deficiencies and support overall health. Although DS consumption has risen globally, evidence on their use, patterns, and determinants among physically active adults in Albania remains very limited. Objectives: This study explored DS use among adults engaged in physical activity in Albania focusing on use patterns, motivations, and factors influencing intake. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2025. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed among 570 individuals engaged in physical activity in Albania. Results: Overall, 52.3% of participants reported using DSs. Proteins (58.1%), vitamins and minerals (46.0%) and creatine (27.5%) were the most used supplements. The main reasons for supplement use were energy increase (44.9%), muscle gain (34.2%), and performance improvement (34.2%), all significantly associated with supplement user status (p < 0.001; q = 0.002). Supplement type was significantly related to motivations for use (all p < 0.001; q = 0.014). Weekly training hours and receiving advice from a coach were the strongest predictors of DS use in multivariable analyses (OR = 28.90 and OR = 16.62, both p < 0.001). Conclusions: DS use is common among physically active adults in Albania and is primarily influenced by training load and coach advice. Supplementation practices reflected performance and muscle-related motivations, while non-use was driven by perceptions of adequate diet and uncertainty regarding supplement efficacy. These findings provide baseline evidence to inform future research and promote safe and informed supplement use in this population.