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Self‐reported lactose intolerance in Canadian adults
Author(s) -
Barr Susan Irene
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.630.4
Subject(s) - medicine , lactose intolerance , vitamin d and neurology , population , environmental health , australian population , food frequency questionnaire , lactose , food science , endocrinology , chemistry
Little is known about the prevalence of self‐reported lactose intolerance (LI) in the Canadian population, and its implications for intakes of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Accordingly, an on‐line survey was completed in September 2011 by a nationally‐representative sample of 2554 English‐ or French‐speaking adults aged ≥19 y. The survey included a semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire to assess intake of milk products and soy beverages, questions on use of calcium and vitamin D supplements, a scale to assess health beliefs toward milk products, and questions on LI. Overall, 16% of Canadian adults reported LI. This was significantly more common in women than men (20% vs 12%), in younger than older adults (18% vs 13%), and in non‐Caucasians than Caucasians (23% vs 15%), but did not vary by education level. Those with self‐reported LI had less positive beliefs about health benefits of milk products (mean ± SE score out of 5: 3.1 ± 0.05 vs 3.7 ± 0.01), were less likely to meet recommended intakes of milk products and alternatives (23% vs 41%), and were more likely to use supplemental calcium (52% vs 48%) and vitamin D (58% vs 42%). They had a higher prevalence of inadequate intakes of calcium (68% vs 58%) although vitamin D adequacy did not differ. Aspects of the results suggest the need for additional education on managing perceived LI. Supported by a grant from the Canadian Agri‐Science Cluster Initiative.