Abstract
Objectives
Yogurt is a popular food in the United Kingdom. It has been reported that yogurt consumption is associated with improved nutrient intake and diet quality in other countries. The objective of this study was to examine frequency of yogurt consumption and its association with dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the United Kingdom.
Methods
Children aged 1.5–18 years old (N = 1912) and adults aged 19 years or older (N = 2064) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey year 7 to year 9 (2014/15–2016/17) were included in the study. Four-day diet diary data were used to classify participants by frequency of yogurt consumption based on the number of days with yogurt consumption (non-eaters, 0 day; occasional eaters, 1–2 days; regular eaters, 3–4 days). Dietary intake was calculated as the average intake across 4 days for each participant. Associations between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary intake were assessed by survey multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, gender, equivalized family income levels, and calorie intake. Diet quality was assessed using a modified version of the Nutrient Rich Food Index 9.3.
Results
Thirty-six % of children and 25% of adults were occasional yogurt eaters and 16% of children and 14% of adults were regular eaters. In children, regular yogurt eaters had significantly higher intake of total energy, total sugar, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, with lower intake of fat, than non-eaters and/or occasional eaters (P < 0.05 for all). Similar results were found in adults except that intake of fat and vitamin A was not different, whereas intake of protein, carbohydrate, vitamin B6, vitamin E, iron, selenium and manganese was also significantly higher, together with significantly lower intake of sodium, in regular yogurt eaters, compare to non-eaters and/or occasional eaters (P < 0.05 for all). Diet quality was positively associated with frequency of yogurt consumption in both children and adults (P < 0.05 for both).
Conclusions
Frequent yogurt consumption is associated with better dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the United Kingdom.
Funding Sources
The study was funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc.
Frequency of Yogurt Consumption and Its Association with Dietary Intake and Diet Quality in UK Children and Adults, National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2014–2017
