Back to Nutrition & Health Statistics
Under Consumption of Milk Products
In 2006, Statistics Canada released its report on Canadians’ Eating Habits from the Canadian Community Health Survey.1
More than 35,000 people were asked to complete a 24-hour dietary recall. Among the main messages: A large proportion of the Canadian population in all age groups is not meeting their recommendations for milk products, fruits and vegetables.1 This is supported by the most recent per capita consumption data indicating an average intake of 1.27 servings/day of milk products.2
Findings: Milk & Milk Products
More than one-third of those four to nine years do not meet the minimum recommendations. Worse, by their late teens, Canadians’ average consumption is below recommendations, meaning that the majority does not get the quantity of milk products suggested to support health. By 10 to 16 years, 61% of boys and 83% of girls do not meet their recommended minimum of three daily servings. As well, 65-84% of adults (31 years and older) do not meet the milk product recommendation. Moreover, >70% of those 50+ did not meet the recommendation of two servings/day.1 This is even more problematic as the recommendation for individuals 50+ has since increased to three servings/day.3
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 71 and over | 21% | 16% |
| 51 to 70 years | 26% | 20% |
| 31 to 50 years | 35% | 28% |
| 17 to 30 years | 54% | 35% |
| 10 to 16 years | 39% | 17% |
| 4 to 9 years | 63% | 63% |
(By age group, household population aged 4 or older, Canada, excluding territories, 2004.)*
* The data mentioned in the text above, as well as in the chart, was published before the release of the 2007 Canada’s Food Guide. Consequently, the number of minimum servings indicated here might vary from those found in the 2007 Canada’s Food Guide.
References
- Statistics Canada. Nutrition: findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2004. Overview of Canadians' eating habits. Ottawa, Canada: Health Statistics Division, 2006:47.
- Statistics Canada. Food Statistics. Ottawa, Canada, 2008.
- Health Canada. Food and Nutrition.
Data on Consumption Keywords
Related Articles
-
Milk Product Consumption Per Capita
Every year Statistics Canada releases per capita consumption data on various food items according to food availability and disappearance data. You will find here the data specific to milk products. New data is released in May of each year and reflects the estimated consumption of the...
Continue reading -
Chocolate Milk Consumption in Canada
Of the total added sugar intake in a person’s diet, it is estimated that chocolate milk contributes less than 1% – or less than 1 gram – of added sugar per person per day.
Continue reading
