title: Low-fat and high-fat dairy products are differently related to blood lipids and cardiovascular risk score.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fat content of dairy foods is diverse, potentially leading to varying effects on cardiovascular risk. We studied relationships of low- and high-fat dairy products with lipids and level of cardiovascular risk (assessed by the SCORE equation), in a cross-sectional population survey conducted in three French areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 3078 participants aged 35-64 years underwent a standardized cardiovascular risk assessment. Subjects were asked to record the types and amounts of foods and beverages they consumed over a three-consecutive-day period. Dairy products were separated into two groups: the low-fat group comprised milk (including milk in desserts and beverages), yogurts and cottage cheese, whereas other cheeses formed the high-fat group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment (including physical activity and a diet quality score), the probability of an increased cardiovascular mortality score (≥1%) decreased from the lowest to the highest quartile (Q) of low-fat dairy intake: odds ratio (OR) ORQ1 = 1; ORQ2 = 0.89 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-1.10), ORQ3 = 0.78 (0.63-0.97) and ORQ4 = 0.68 (0.55-0.85) for the first, second, third and fourth quartile, respectively. Results were notably different for high-fat dairy intake: ORQ2 = 1.02 (0.82-1.25); ORQ3 = 0.90 (0.73-1.11); ORQ4 = 1.07 (0.86-1.32). Intake of low-fat dairy products was inversely associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but no significant independent relationship was found with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglycerides. None of the lipid parameters was significantly associated with the consumption of high-fat dairy products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants with the highest intake of low-fat dairy products had the lowest mortality risk score and exhibited the best LDL-C profile. Such favourable associations were not observed with cheese consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, UMR1027 INSERM, Université Toulouse 3, France Department of Epidemiology, Toulouse University Hospital (CHU de Toulouse), France.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huo Yung Kai
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, UMR1027 INSERM, Université Toulouse 3, France Department of Epidemiology, Toulouse University Hospital (CHU de Toulouse), France.
authors.forename: Vanina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bongard
authors.affiliation: INSERM U1060/INRA 1235, Université Lyon 1, France.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, UMR1027 INSERM, Université Toulouse 3, France Department of Epidemiology, Toulouse University Hospital (CHU de Toulouse), France.
authors.forename: Jean-Bernard
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ruidavets
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, EA3430, Université de Strasbourg, France Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Strasbourg University Hospital (CHU de Strasbourg), France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arveiler
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM UMR744, Université Lille Nord de France, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dallongeville
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, EA3430, Université de Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institut Pasteur de Lille, INSERM UMR744, Université Lille Nord de France, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amouyel
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, UMR1027 INSERM, Université Toulouse 3, France Department of Cardiology B, Toulouse University Hospital, France jean.ferrieres@univ-tlse3.fr.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferrières
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D015930:Diet Records; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000097:blood*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016017:Odds Ratio; D065840:Protective Factors; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004041:Dietary Fats
keywords: Nutrition assessment; cardiovascular risk; dairy products; lipids