Milk and milk product consumption in Poland

Abstract

The milk and dairy products belong to most precious alimentary products, being characterized with the high food value. This food products thanks to their components (calcium, protein, exogenous amino acids, vitamins) compose the perfect completion of the diet in all age groups. The special attention should be paid to fermented milk products contained probiotic bacteria. The aim of the study was the assessment of the consumption frequency of the milk and milk‐products by different population groups (children, the young people, adults, pregnant women, patients, persons doing sport). The questionnaire method was used. The study comprised 14217 persons (3–83 year old), living in Poland in the period of 1995–2008 years. The level of education was diverse. Subjects lived both in the country as and in town. The highest consumption of the milk and milk‐products was found among pre‐school children. The decrease of the milk consumption was observed with the following age groups. The low consumption of milk was discover in the group consisted of pregnant women. The most of subjects examined consumed the most often sweet fruit‐yoghurts, and the most seldom the buttermilk, smoked cheeses and blue cheeses. The stronger attention on the nutrition education in Poland should be paid in spite of several organized campaigns in media, popularizing among children and their parents the milk and its product consumption.