Selected individual differences as predictors of milk product consumption in a group of perimenopausal women in the light of health hazards

The aim of this study was to analyze the consumption frequency of dairy products depending on selected individual traits (level of self-efficacy, optimism, and satisfaction with life) in a group of perimenopausal women. The study, using the questionnaire for the assessment of food product consumption frequency, and psychological tests (GSES, LOT-R, SWLS), was conducted in a group of 320 women aged between 45 and 55. The Spearman’s coefficients of rank correlation and the Kruskal-Wallis test with the Dunn test for multiple comparisons were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

Statistical analysis revealed that the level of self-efficacy correlated positively with the consumption frequency of low-fat cottage cheese, kefir (p < 0.05), buttermilk and natural yoghurt (p < 0.01), and was inversely correlated with the consumption of high-fat milk and high-fat cottage cheese (p < 0.01). The level of optimism showed a positive correlation with the frequency of kefir and fruit yoghurt consumption (p < 0.05), and was inversely correlated with the consumption of high- and low-fat milk (p < 0.05) and high-fat cottage cheese (p < 0.01). An increased level of satisfaction with life was associated with a more frequent consumption of kefir (p < 0.05) and fruit yoghurt (p < 0.01), and with a lower consumption of high- and low-fat milk (p < 0.05) and high-fat cottage cheese (p < 0.01). The level of self-efficacy significantly influenced mean consumption frequency of high- (p < 0.0001) and low-fat milk (p < 0.05), high-fat cottage cheese, buttermilk, and natural (p < 0.0001) and fruit yoghurt (p < 0.01), and the levels of optimism and satisfaction with life exerted a significant effect on the frequency of consumption of high-fat milk, high-fat cottage cheese, and fruit yoghurt (p < 0.01). Overall, our study showed that the frequency of dairy product consumption among 45-55-year-old women is low and varies depending on the analyzed individual traits.