Yogurt, Its Relationship to Cardiometabolic Outcomes, and Patterns of Consumption

AbstractPurpose of the ReviewRegular yogurt consumption has been associated with significant health benefits, including reducing weight gain and preventing obesity, prevention of diabetes, and improved overall diet quality. While yogurt has been aggressively marketed in recent years and consumption has increased, little is known about consumers of yogurt, including their health characteristics and nutrition attitudes and related behaviors. Our purpose was to summarize clinical studies on the health benefits of yogurt and also to report the results of an analysis of market research data on patterns and trends in consumption.Recent FindingsA number of observational studies have reported associations of higher yogurt consumption with lower rates of obesity, weight gain, and diabetes. We analyzed detailed dietary intake surveys for 9560 adults and children. Women are more likely to be yogurt consumers than men (49.3 vs. 29.6%). Compared with non-consumers, consumers are more affluent and highly educated. 28.9% of yogurt consumers were obese, compared to 34.7% of non-consumers (p = 0.014). Consumers were more likely to be dieting at the time of the survey (22.9 vs. 17.7%,p = 0.02). There were substantial differences in nutrition attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors between consumers and non-consumers. Compared with non-consumers, yogurt consumers reported being more knowledgeable about nutrition (3.69 vs. 3.29, 5-point scale,p <  0.01) and also checking nutrition food labels...
Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research