Are yogurt consumers different than other dairy consumers?

Background Dairy is a broad category in terms of nutritional composition. In the US, yogurt is a developing category with very low per capita consumption. Very little is known and understood about US yogurt consumption. Objective This study analyzed the different kinds of US dairy consumers, specifically yogurt consumers, dairy non yogurt consumers and non dairy consumers. Design This study analyzed the 2005–2006 NHANES data. Four thousand five hundred twenty nine people ages 18 and up were examined. Results Yogurt consumers are approximately 2:1 female to male with 68.4% females to 31.6% males while dairy consumers who don't eat yogurt are split almost half and half with 49.1% males and 50.9% females. Non Hispanic Blacks consume less yogurt than other races/ethnicities in the US. Yogurt consumers eat more fruit, fiber and calcium than dairy consumers who don't eat yogurt as well as non dairy consumers. Yogurt consumers also consume higher levels of potassium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Dairy consumers and more specifically those who consume yogurt have healthier consumption patterns overall above and beyond just their yogurt consumption. Conclusion Encouraging people to include yogurt in their diet might help to increase the intake of potassium and calcium which have been identified as shortfall nutrients by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. However, intervention studies are required to investigate the impact of this yogurt inclusion on dietary patterns, nutritional status and health outcomes.