The availability of low-fat milk in an inner-city Latino community: implications for nutrition education

Am J Public Health. 1995 Dec;85(12):1690-2. doi: 10.2105/ajph.85.12.1690.

Abstract

Substitution of low-fat for whole milk is an important strategy for reducing saturated fat consumption, but intake of whole milk remains high among Latinos. To assess whether this is related to the unavailability of low-fat milk, we surveyed 251 grocery stores (bodegas) and 25 supermarkets in a predominantly low-income, urban Latino community. Low-fat milk was available in 73% of bodegas and 96% of supermarkets, but it constituted only 15% of total milk volume in bodegas and 37% of that volume in supermarkets. Since lack of availability was not a major obstacle to increasing low-fat milk consumption, public health nutrition campaigns should focus on increasing consumer demand.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dietary Fats / supply & distribution*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Hispanic or Latino* / education
  • Hispanic or Latino* / psychology
  • Humans
  • Milk / supply & distribution*
  • New York City
  • Nutritional Sciences / education*
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Health

Substances

  • Dietary Fats