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Proceeding Paper

Association between Intake of Fermented Dairy Products and Diet Quality, Health Beliefs in a Representative Sample of Polish Population †

by
Katarzyna E. Przybyłowicz
1,*,
Jakub Morze
1,2,
Anna Danielewicz
1,
Katarzyna Staniewska
3,
Aneta Dąbrowska
4,
Maria Baranowska
4,
Małgorzata Darewicz
5,
Justyna Żulewska
4 and
Bogusław Staniewski
4
1
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
2
Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
3
Department of Commodity Science and Food Analysis, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-726 Olsztyn, Poland
4
Department of Dairy Science and Quality Management, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
5
Food Biochemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-726 Olsztyn, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Presented at the 1st International Electronic Conference on Nutrients—Nutritional and Microbiota Effects on Chronic Disease, 2–15 November 2020. Available online: https://iecn2020.sciforum.net/.
Proceedings 2020, 61(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECN2020-06988
Published: 30 October 2020

Abstract

:
This study aimed to evaluate the association between diet quality, perception of benefits consumption, and fermented dairy product intake in a representative sample of the Polish population. The study was carried out in February 2020. 2009 men and women were randomly sampled from the representative Polish population stratified for two age groups (19–30 and 66–75 years). Dairy product intake was evaluated using a qualitative frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was assessed by calculating the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score. Perceived health benefits of dairy product consumption were assessed with a literature-based questionnaire. The Health Concern Scale was used to measure participants’ attitudes toward health. Median intake of fermented dairy products was 0.8 portion/day (IQR: 0.4–1.6). Intake of fermented dairy products was associated with higher MEDAS. We observed that people with the highest intake of fermented dairy product consumed more oils, vegetables, wine, legumes, fish and seafood, sweets and pastries, nuts, and higher preference for white meat and were more likely to report perceived benefits to maintain body weight, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve immune and dental health. Moreover, a high intake of fermented dairy products was positively related to paying more attention to health. Our study identified patterns of health behaviors associated with frequent consumption of fermented products. We observed that the intake of fermented dairy products is associated with better diet quality, consumer self-consciousness, and a greater attitude to own health.

1. Introduction

Dairy products are an excellent source of valuable nutrients, such as protein, calcium, and vitamins, and are, therefore, considered to be one of the main elements of a balanced diet. Moreover, some studies suggest that supplementation with dairy foods and healthy dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet may improve health outcomes [1]. Adequate consumption of dairy products has the potential to protect against non-communicable chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. However, it is fermented dairy products that are particularly important because of their beneficial health effects. The presence of peptides released during proteolysis, the higher bioavailability of certain vitamins and minerals and bacterial and yeast cultures are associated with additional benefits for the body. This effect may consist in the modulation of immune function, intestinal microbiota, exclusion of pathogens, decrease allergy, and may benefit in many other cases of health deterioration [2].
The intention to maintain health may be one of the reasons for choosing particular groups of foods. The high share of fermented milk products in the diet of Polish consumers results from their belief in the benefits of their consumption [3]. However, these beliefs do not always concern the perception of all possible beneficial health effects.
Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between diet quality, perception of consumption benefits, and fermented dairy product intake in a representative sample of the Polish population.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Sample Collection

The attempt to survey Poles’ opinions on dairy products and their aspect of innovation was representative, nationwide, and included 2009 Poles aged 19–30 and 66–75. The survey was conducted using computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) in January and February 2020. The sample for the survey had a quota-random character. Due to the lack of data on food consumption, the sample studied comprised 1695 people.

2.2. Questionnaires

The structured questionnaire concerned the study of consumer behavior on the market of innovative dairy products with pro-healthy properties and the study of expectations towards these products. The questionnaire covered eight thematic groups and contained a total of 83 questions, giving 302 result variables.
Dairy product consumption was assessed using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire where questions were created on the basis of the validated KomPAN questionnaire [4] and Codex Alimentarius dairy food grou**. Total fermented dairy product consumption was calculated as a sum of natural and sweetened fermented dairy products and rennet cheeses.
Diet quality was described with the German version of the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score [5]. The questionnaire consists of 14 questions concerning the consumption of selected food groups. However, an original question relating to a dish with a traditional sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onion, or leeks sautéed in olive oil, was changed to servings of whole-grain cereal products. The questionnaire result allows assessing to what extent the diet of the examined person is consistent with the pattern of the Mediterranean diet. This allowed for the selection of groups whose diet was consistent with the principles of proper nutrition or was different from them.
The Health Concern Scale (HCS) [6] allowed for the assessment of the respondents’ attitude to health. The questionnaire consists of 10 statements concerning the interest in health and the relationship between excessive consumption of sugar, fat, salt, cholesterol, and food additives and the occurrence of selected diseases.
The questions related to the health benefits of regular consumption of all analysed dairy products were created based on the literature. The questions concerned weight management, heart, bone, digestive and dental health, and immune defense, however, respondents could also indicate no benefits.

2.3. Confounding Factors

Participants declared a measure of weight, height, and waist circumference. On this basis, body mass index (BMI) was calculated (kg/m2) and classified as underweight (<18.50 kg/m2), normal (18.50–24.99 kg/m2), and overweight and obesity (≥25.00 kg/m2). Other confounders that were taken into account were: Age cohort (19–30 y, 66–75 y), gender (women, men), smoking status (current, former, never), slee** time (<6 h, 6–9 h, >9 h), TV watching time (<2 h, 2–4 h, 4–6 h, 6–8 h, 8–10 h, >10 h), education level (primary, secondary, vocational, higher, not wish to answer), economic status (very poor, poor, medium, good, very good, not wish to answer).

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Variables were presented as the median and interquartile range (IQR) if they were continuous and as percentage and number if they were categorical. Differences in continuous variables across quartiles of total fermented dairy product consumption were evaluated using Kruskal–Wallis test and Dunn’s post-hoc test. Differences in categorical variables were obtained using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.
The associations between quintiles of total fermented dairy product consumption and MEDAS, its components, HCS, and health benefits were evaluated by the generalized linear model. In all analysis adjustment set (age cohort, gender, smoking status, slee** time, TV watching time, education level, economic status (all categorical)) was used. Results were presented as back-transformed least-square means and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
The significance level was set to p < 0.05. The statistical analysis was carried out using STATISTICA software (version 13.1 PL; StatSoft Inc.: Tulsa, OK, USA/Kraków, Poland).

3. Results

Table 1 shows the basic characteristics of the studied sample by quintiles of total fermented dairy products that the median intake was 0.8 (0.4; 1.6). Participants in Q5 compared with Q3 were younger (25 years vs. 27 years, respectively) and declared higher waist circumference (87 cm vs. 80 cm, respectively). Participants who consumed more fermented dairy products were more likely to be women, watch TV more than 6 h per day, and less likely to sleep 6–9 h.
Table 2 presents the association between MEDAS score and its components and total fermented dairy product consumption. Intake of fermented dairy products was associated with higher MEDAS score. We observed that frequency of fermented dairy product consumption was positively associated with frequent consumption of oils, vegetables, wine, legumes, fish and seafood, sweets and pastries, nuts (for all Ptrend < 0.001) and a higher preference for white meat (Ptrend = 0.014).
The results of the association between HSC, perceiving health benefits and total fermented dairy product consumption are shown in Table 3. High intake of fermented dairy products was positively related to paying more attention to health. Participants were more likely to report perceived health benefits to maintain normal body weight (Q5 = 39.6% vs. Q1 = 26.3%), reduce cardiovascular risk (Q5 = 52.3% vs. Q1 = 26.6%), and improve immune (Q5 = 67.3% vs. Q1 = 50.3%) and dental health (Q5 = 36.9% vs. Q1 = 27.3%) together with higher consumption of fermented dairy products. Participants who did not indicate benefits for health were negatively associated with fermented dairy product consumption (Q5 = 20.5% vs. Q1 = 51.6%)

4. Discussion

This study investigated dietary, lifestyle, and behavioral determinants of fermented dairy product intake in a representative sample of the Polish population. We observed that people with higher diet quality, as assessed by adherence to the Mediterranean diet, reported a higher intake of fermented dairy products. In particular, regular consumers of fermented dairy products had a higher intake of plant oils, vegetables, wine, legumes, fish and seafood, sweets and nuts, as well as more frequently selected white rather than red meat. With respect to health attitudes, regular consumers paid more attention to their health. Moreover, a higher intake of fermented dairy products was more frequently motivated by perceived benefits for musculoskeletal, circulatory, digestive, and immunological systems.
One of the major implications of our study is that fermented dairy products can complement other components of a healthy diet [1]. Fermented dairy products are a primary source of prebiotics and probiotics. Furthermore, those products provide a variety of compounds, including proteins, peptides, oligosaccharides, vitamins and organic acids (including fatty acids) with distinct health effects [2]. The benefits of fermented dairy product intake can be explained by immunological, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory, antiallergic, antioxidative, as well as lipid-, glucose-, and blood-pressure-lowering effects. Considering a high intake of fermented products as a part of healthy, sustainable dietary pattern shows the potential to expand its health effects. A number of experimental studies [1,7,8,9] support this point, showing that healthy diets supplemented with fermented dairy products might be superior to diets that exclude those products. In particular, the promotion of fermented dairy product intake as a way to improve overall diet quality should be considered in countries and societies where those products are manufactured locally and available at a relatively low cost [3,10].
The second major implication reflects the target group for the promotion of fermented dairy product intake. Our findings indicated that lower intake is driven by young age and male sex. The burden of health risks and exposures in a group of young adults is a key determinant of their status in further life. In this context, males are exposed to greater health harms represented among others by higher rates of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or lower diet quality. In view of our findings and health benefits based on published literature, both groups can be considered as targets for interventions aiming to increase the intake of fermented dairy products. However, those issues require further studies designed to achieve improvements in certain health outcomes by tailored, specific dietary interventions.
In conclusion, our study identified patterns of health behaviors associated with frequent consumption of fermented products. We observed that the intake of fermented dairy products is associated with better diet quality, consumer self-consciousness, and a greater attitude to own health.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, K.E.P., M.B., J.Ż., B.S.; methodology, K.E.P., A.D. (Anna Danielewicz), J.M., K.S., A.D. (Aneta Dąbrowska); formal analysis, A.D. (Anna Danielewicz) and J.M.; data curation, A.D. (Anna Danielewicz) and J.M.; writing—original draft preparation, K.E.P., A.D. (Anna Danielewicz) and J.M.; writing—review and editing, K.E.P., A.D. (Anna Danielewicz) and J.M.; visualization, A.D. (Anna Danielewicz) and J.M.; supervision, K.E.P., J.Ż., M.D. and B.S.; project administration, M.B., J.Ż., B.S. funding acquisition, J.Ż. and B.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research and APC was funded by The National Centre for Research and Development, Project No. WPC1/DairyFunInn/2019, amount of funding 1,950,000.00 PLN.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest in the decision to publish the results.

References

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Table 1. Basic characteristics.
Table 1. Basic characteristics.
Total Fermented Dairy Product Consumptionp
Q1Q2Q3Q4Q5
Fermented dairy product consumption, times/d †0.2 (0.1; 0.2)0.4 (0.3; 0.7)0.8 (0.7; 0.9)1.2 (1.2; 1.3)2.1 (1.7; 2.6)<0.001
Age cohort 19–30 y, years †26 (23; 28)26 (23; 29)27 (24; 29) a26 (22; 28)25 (21; 28) a0.022
Age cohort 66–75 y, years †69 (67; 71)69 (67; 71)68 (67; 70)69 (67; 71)69 (67; 71)0.310
Gender (women)48.1 (148)51.3 (180)58.7 (186)53.2 (166)59.0 (240)0.015
Waist circumference, cm †86 (75; 100)83 (70; 95)80 (70; 90) a85 (75; 96)87 (76; 98) a0.016
Body mass index, kg/m225.5
(22.7; 28.7)
25.2
(22.0; 27.9)
24.8
(22.2; 27.2)
25.5
(23.0; 28.1)
25.1
(22.3; 28.0)
0.132
% Overweight obese53.7 (123)51.5 (138)48.4 (119)53.3 (119)50.9 (172)0.773
Smoking status (current)20.1 (62)24.8 (87)24.3 (77)23.7 (74)27.3 (111)0.290
Physical activity (MVPA)61.0 (188)65.8 (231)68.8 (218)65.4 (204)61.2 (249)0.170
TV watching time (more than 6 h)12.3 (38)17.4 (61)16.4 (52)18.9 (59)24.3 (99)0.001
Slee** time (6–9 h)79.2 (244)83.2 (292)77.9 (247)76.0 (237)74.0 (301)0.034
Economic status (high and very high)25.0 (77)28.8 (101)25.9 (82)24.4 (76)28.0 (114)0.643
Education level (higher)13.6 (42)15.1 (53)18.3 (58)11.9 (37)13.0 (53)0.167
Data are presented as % and number or (where †) median and interquartile range (IQR). The sample size may vary slightly in each variable due to missing data. MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. p value: Significance for Kruskal–Wallis test (Dunn’s post-hoc test) or Pearson’s chi-square test.
Table 2. Association between MEDAS, its components and total fermented dairy product consumption.
Table 2. Association between MEDAS, its components and total fermented dairy product consumption.
Total Fermented Dairy Product ConsumptionPtrend
Q1Q2Q3Q4Q5
MEDAS score5.6 (5.3; 5.9)5.8 (5.4; 6.1)5.7 (5.4; 6.1)6.0 (5.6; 6.3)6.2 (5.9; 6.6)<0.001
Plant oils as main (yes) †73.1 (225)83.5 (293)86.4 (274)87.2(272)83.1 (338)0.096
Plant oils, times/d1.7 (1.4; 2.0)1.7 (1.5; 2.0)2.1 (1.8; 2.4)2.0 (1.7; 2.3)2.3 (2; 2.6)<0.001
Vegetables, times/d2.7 (2.3; 3.0)2.6 (2.3; 3.0)2.5 (2.2; 2.8)2.6 (2.3; 3.0)3.1 (2.8; 3.5)<0.001
Fruits and juices, times/d4.7 (4.2; 5.3)5.2 (4.6; 5.8)5.7 (5.1; 6.3)5.5 (4.9; 6.1)5.1 (4.6; 5.7)0.451
Red meat, times/d4.8 (4.3; 5.5)5.1 (4.5; 5.9)5.2 (4.6; 5.9)6.0 (5.3; 6.8)5.6 (5.0; 6.3)0.168
Butter and cream, times/d2.6 (2.2; 2.9)2.5 (2.2; 2.9)3.1 (2.7; 3.5)2.6 (2.3; 3.0)2.9 (2.6; 3.3)0.084
Sweetened beverages, times/d4.0 (3.3; 4.8)5.0 (4.1; 6.0)4.9 (4.1; 5.8)4.6 (3.8; 5.6)4.5 (3.8; 5.4)0.687
Wine, times/wk1.4 (1.1; 1.8)1.6 (1.2; 2.1)1.4 (1.1; 1.9)1.9 (1.4; 2.4)2.5 (2.1; 3.1)<0.001
Legumes, times/wk1.2 (1.0; 1.5)1.4 (1.2; 1.7)1.7 (1.5; 2.1)1.7 (1.4; 2.0)2.0 (1.7; 2.4)<0.001
Fish and seafood, times/wk1.3 (1.1; 1.6)1.6 (1.4; 1.9)1.7 (1.4; 2.0)1.9 (1.6; 2.2)2.1 (1.9; 2.4)<0.001
Sweets and pastries, times/wk3.7 (3.2; 4.2)4.0 (3.5; 4.6)4.5 (4.0; 5.1)4.4 (3.8; 5.0)4.9 (4.4; 5.5)<0.001
Nuts, times/wk0.6 (0.4; 0.9)0.8 (0.5; 1)1.1 (0.8; 1.4)1.1 (0.8; 1.5)1.6 (1.3; 2.1)<0.001
Preferable white meat (yes) †71.4 (220)75.2 (264)73.2 (232)79.8 (249)80.6 (328)0.014
Whole grain products, times/d2.5 (2.1; 2.9)2.5 (2.1; 2.9)2.6 (2.3; 3.1)2.7 (2.4; 3.2)2.6 (2.3; 3.0)0.179
Data are presented as back-transformed least-square means and 95% confidence interval (CI) or (where †) as % and number. The sample size may vary slightly in each variable due to missing data. MEDAS, MEDAS, Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. All data adjusted for age cohort, gender, smoking status, slee** time, TV watching time, education level, economic status (all categorical). p value: Significance for Wald’s test.
Table 3. Association between health concern scale, health beliefs and total fermented dairy product consumption.
Table 3. Association between health concern scale, health beliefs and total fermented dairy product consumption.
Total Fermented Dairy Product ConsumptionPtrend
Q1Q2Q3Q4Q5
% (n)18.2 (308)20.7 (351)18.7 (317)18.4 (312)24.0 (407)
HCS score †37.1
(35.3; 39.0)
36.6
(34.8; 38.5)
36.2
(34.4; 38.0)
37.3
(35.5; 39.2)
39.5
(37.7; 41.4)
0.002
Normal body weight26.3 (81)29.3 (103)38.2 (121)38.8 (121)39.6 (161)0.001
Healthy heart26.6 (82)32.5 (114)39.4 (125)46.2 (144)52.3 (213)<0.001
Healthy bones56.5 (174)64.7 (227)71.9 (228)71.2 (222)67.6 (275)0.075
Improved immunity50.3 (155)61.3 (215)67.2 (213)68.6 (214)67.3 (274)0.002
Healthy digestive track59.1 (182)63.8 (224)68.5 (217)70.8 (221)61.2 (249)0.449
Healthy teeth27.3 (84)29.3 (103)37.5 (119)36.5 (114)36.9 (150)<0.001
Not bring benefits51.6 (195)37.3 (131)26.2 (83)29.2 (91)20.6 (84)<0.001
Data are presented as back transformed least square means and 95% confidence interval (CI) or (where †) median and interquartile range (IQR). HCS, health concern scale. All data adjusted for age cohort, gender, smoking status, slee** time, TV watching time, education level, economic status (all categorical).
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MDPI and ACS Style

Przybyłowicz, K.E.; Morze, J.; Danielewicz, A.; Staniewska, K.; Dąbrowska, A.; Baranowska, M.; Darewicz, M.; Żulewska, J.; Staniewski, B. Association between Intake of Fermented Dairy Products and Diet Quality, Health Beliefs in a Representative Sample of Polish Population. Proceedings 2020, 61, 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECN2020-06988

AMA Style

Przybyłowicz KE, Morze J, Danielewicz A, Staniewska K, Dąbrowska A, Baranowska M, Darewicz M, Żulewska J, Staniewski B. Association between Intake of Fermented Dairy Products and Diet Quality, Health Beliefs in a Representative Sample of Polish Population. Proceedings. 2020; 61(1):26. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECN2020-06988

Chicago/Turabian Style

Przybyłowicz, Katarzyna E., Jakub Morze, Anna Danielewicz, Katarzyna Staniewska, Aneta Dąbrowska, Maria Baranowska, Małgorzata Darewicz, Justyna Żulewska, and Bogusław Staniewski. 2020. "Association between Intake of Fermented Dairy Products and Diet Quality, Health Beliefs in a Representative Sample of Polish Population" Proceedings 61, no. 1: 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/IECN2020-06988

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