Predictors of milk consumption in a population of 17-to 35-year-old military personnel

Objective The purpose of this investigation was to survey an entire populat ion of Air Force recruits (N=32,144) regarding milk consumption and demogra phic and health-related factors that may predict milk consumption. Design All subjects were required to fill out a 53-item health survey at th e start of basic military training. Subjects/setting All recruits who entered the US Air Force from August 1995 to August 1996 participated in this study (N=32,144). Statistical analyses performed Potential correlates of milk intake were ana lyzed using Spearman rank order correlations and multiple linear regression . Variables were removed if they did not make a meaningful contribution to variance in milk intake. Because of skewed distributions, several variables were dichotomized (eg, age: 17 to 24 vs 25 to 35 years). Results In terms of milk consumption, 51.7% of the respondents reported int ake of fewer than 1 serving per day; only 17.9% reported intake of 3 servin gs or more per day. Milk intake was positively associated with body weight and fruit/vegetable intake and negatively associated with age, education le vel, reported milk-related gastric distress, physical activity level, dieti ng frequency, and concern about weight. Gender (women reported lower intake ) and ethnicity (minorities reported lower intake) were independently relat ed to milk consumption. Of all respondents, 16.1% reported themselves to ha ve milk-related gastric distress, but rates varied depending on age, gender , and ethnicity (ranging from 10.2% for younger non-Hispanic white men to 6 0.4% for older Asian men). Applications/conclusions Despite the efforts of large, costly campaigns des igned to increase milk consumption, self-reported milli consumption in youn g adults is extremely low. Given the importance of dairy products as a majo r source of calcium in the American diet, dietetics practitioners should as sess milk consumption among young adults to ensure sufficient calcium intak e to maximize peak bone mass in this group.