Impact of lifestyle on milk consummation among adolescents

In order to evaluate the influence of lifestyle on the quantity of milk consumed daily, we conducted this study of 465 school adolescents in Trogir, Croatia. Our questionnaire regarding lifestyle and nutritional habits was completed by 328 females (15.78±1.19 years) and 137 males (15.71±1.22 years). There was difference between males and females in the quantity of milk consumed daily (5.77±5.07, 3.61±3.56 dL, p<0.001). 166 females (50.6%) and 88 males (64.2%) (χ2 = 7.12, p=0.005) consumed more than 2 dL milk per day and these subjects differed in the quantity of milk consummation per day (8.15±4.72, 5.89±3.56 dL, p<0.001). Females who usually skipped dinner (n=205, 62.5%) differed from those that did not in milk consumption (3.28±3.15, 4.19±4.17 dL, p=0.030). Among the breakfast-skipper females, 73 (45.3%) consumed more than 2 dL milk (χ2=5.81, p=0.011). Among sport-active females, 167 (83.5%) consumed more than 1 dL (χ2 =3.83, p=0.036). Out of school activities among the females (n=257, 78.4%) affect milk consumption (3.81±3.78, 2.85±2.45 dL, p=0.049). The females’ school success was correlated with their daily milk consumption (r=-0.109, p=0.027). Females consume less milk per day compared to males. Lifestyle and nutritional habits affect the quantity of milk consumed daily differently between female and male adolescents. Among the females, skipping dinner and breakfast, out of school and sporting inactivity, and better success in school, are risk factors for milk consummation, and these groups are the target population for preventative action, especially promoting morning and evening milk meals.