Socioeconomic factors and dairy product intake in women with low bone mineral density (BMD)

Epidemiological and clinical evidence indicate that adequate calcium intake decreases the risk and progress of metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Milk and dairy products are the most important calcium sources and it is almost impossible to achieve adequate calcium intake when dairy products are eliminated from the diet. The aim of the study was to determine if socioeconomic factors are connected with consumption of dairy products in Croatian women with low BMD. Subjects (n=320) were patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia from two hospitals in Zagreb, Croatian capital. Mean age was 63.4 ± 8.73 (mean ± SD). The survey was conducted in the form of a personal interview with trained interviewers in hospitals where patient came for regular physician’ s examination. The questionnaire provided socioeconomic information and data regarding consumption of dairy foods. On average, subjects consumed milk and dairy products 9.8 times per week, i.e. more than once per day. 12.5% of subjects reported that they do not consume milk, 9.3% do not consume yoghurt and similar fermented dairy products, and 3.1% do not consume cheese. 31.9% of subjects consumed milk and dairy products in the highest quantity after the age of 50 years. No significant difference was observed for consumption frequency of milk and dairy products in those who live alone when compared with those who live with their families. Years of education and also percentage of family income spent on food did not correlate significantly with consumption frequency of milk and dairy products. Negative, but not significant (r=-0.14) correlation was observed for percentage of fat in milk reported as the most often consumed and years of education.