Correlates of Low-Fat Milk Consumption in a Multi-Ethnic Population

Abstract

Objective: To assess the correlates of low-fat milk consumption in a multi-ethnic population. Design: Cross-sectional random digit dial telephone survey of adults residing in Hawaii. Setting & Participants: The survey was completed by 600 adults who consumed cow’s milk. Five ethnicities composed over 86% of the sample: Caucasian (36%), Hawaiian (17%), Japanese (18%), Filipino (10%), and Chinese (5%). The average age of participant was 45.6. 84% had completed high school and 35% had completed college. Variables Measured: All variables were self-reported. Type of milk consumed (high-fat vs. low-fat) was the dependent variable. Independent variables included age, gender, ethnicity, body mass, attitude, normative beliefs, and stage of change. Analysis: Chi-squares and logistic regression were used for the analysis (p < .05). Results: Younger and less educated people were less likely to drink low-fat milk, as were Native Hawaiians and Filipinos. In the multivariate analyses only attitudes, normative beliefs, and education were significant predictors. Conclusions and Implications: Attitudes and normative beliefs towards milk consumption explain more of the variance in type of milk consumption than demographic characteristics. This data indicates the feasibility of testing interventions designed to influence attitudes and normative beliefs towards low-fat milk consumption in Asian and Pacific Island communities.

Formative Research to Understand the Psychographics of 1% Milk Consumption in a Low-Income Audience

“…It is well documented that low-fat milk use declines with household income and educational attainment (Davis et al, 2012; Kitt et al, 2011; Maglione, Barnett, & Maddock, 2005). Davis, Dong, Blayney, Yen, and Stillman (2012) documented annual household income of less than US$20,000 influenced whole and 2% milk purchases.…”

“…Kitt et al (2011) findings provide strong evidence that low-fat milk use among low-income populations is one third that of the overall population. Moreover, it is well documented that use of low-fat milk progressively declines with lower levels of educational attainment (Davis et al, 2012; Maglione et al, 2005).…”

Characteristics of consumption of dairy products among rural residents in the Samara Region Russia and the Chui Region Kyrgyz Republic

“…Аналогичные наблюдения отмечены в исследовании, проведенном среди взрослого населения государства Филиппины, в котором японцы, проживающие в регионе, чаще употребляли молоко низкой жирности в отличие от коренных жителей, которые чаще выбирали высокожировые виды молока (почти 79%) [7].…”

“…В ряде исследований [6] было отмечено, что на формирование привычек питания оказывают влияние разнообразные социально-экономические, географические и культурные факторы. Так, профиль потребления молочных продуктов среди разных этнических групп в рамках одной страны значительно отличается -это касается не только частоты потребления, но и выбора уровня жирности молочных изделий [7]. В связи с тем, что в странах Содружества Независимых Государств (СНГ) достаточно крупные популяции русской национальности длительно проживают в социально-культурных, природных условиях этих стран, данный регион представляет возможность для изучения роли этнических различий в потреблении молочных продуктов.…”

A Case Study of Two Successful Social Marketing Interventions to Promote 1% Low-Fat Milk Consumption

“…A survey of Australian shoppers revealed poor milk nutrition knowledge, and there was evidence suggesting that some believed that low-fat milk contained fewer vitamins and minerals than whole milk (Bus & Worsley, 2003). Several studies found that there was little interest in changing to low-fat milk (Maglione, Barnett, & Maddock, 2005; Tuorila, 1987; WestGroup, 2009).…”