Original Article
International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 88–93. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803045; published online 23 August 2005
Milk intake is inversely related to obesity in men and in young women: data from the Portuguese Health Interview Survey 1998–1999
P Marques-Vidal1, A Gonçalves2 and C M Dias3
- 1Centro de Nutrição e Metabolismo, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, Lisboa, Portugal
- 2Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Travessa da Granja, Monte de Caparica, Portugal
- 3Centro de Epidemiologia e Bioestatística, Observatório Nacional de Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Ricardo Jorge, Av. Padre Cruz, Lisboa, Portugal
Correspondence: Professor P Marques-Vidal, Centro de Nutrição e Metabolismo, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649–028 Lisboa, Portugal. E-mail: mvidal@fm.ul.pt
Received 22 June 2004; Revised 29 June 2005; Accepted 9 July 2005; Published online 23 August 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
To assess the relationships between milk intake and body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of the mainland Portuguese population.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Setting:
National Health Interview Survey 1998–1999. Average daily milk intake was calculated by a frequency questionnaire that also assessed the average volume of one serving. BMI was derived from the subject's reported height and weight.
Subjects:
A total of 17 771 men and 19 742 women aged 
18 y.
Results:
In men, milk intake was inversely related to BMI (r=-0.10, P<0.001), whereas the relationship in women was weaker (r=-0.06, P<0.001). In men, prevalence of milk consumers was lower in obese (62%) and in overweight (68%) than in normal weight subjects (71%, P<0.001). After adjusting for age, region, physical activity, smoking, number of meals and educational level, milk intake decreased with increasing BMI (adjusted mean
s.e.: 2805, 2665 and 2467 ml/day for normal, overweight and obese subjects, respectively, P<0.001), even after excluding subjects who did not consume milk (3685, 3536 and 3468 ml/day, P<0.02). In women, prevalence of milk consumers was lower in obese (71%) and in overweight (72%) than in normal weight subjects (76%, P<0.001). In women younger than 55 y, milk intake decreased with increased BMI categories (2919, 27110 and 26911 ml/day for normal, overweight and obese subjects, respectively, P<0.001), whereas no relationship was found in the older group.
Conclusions:
Increased calcium intake is slightly but significantly negatively related with BMI in men and premenopausal women. The lack of relationship in older women might be due to the hormonal status, but awaits further investigation.
Keywords:
diet, milk, population survey
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