title: Attitudes, beliefs, and barriers related to milk consumption in older, low-income women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine attitudes, beliefs, and barriers related to adequate milk consumption in low-income women ages ≥ 60 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of 59 women at congregate meal sites in a metropolitan area. Grounded in Social Cognitive Theory, focus group questions were used to explore personal, behavioral, and environmental factors associated with milk consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Key response themes indicated a positive attitude for the taste of milk (except for low-fat), a primary belief that milk was important for bones and health, and a primary barrier of gastrointestinal side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge regarding the benefits of milk and the dislike of its taste were not the primary reason for the lack of consumption. Instead, gastrointestinal side effects seemed to be the major barrier to adequate consumption. Future nutrition campaigns should test strategies for lactose intolerance management when communicating with low-income older women.
authors: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Electronic address: amy.mobley@uconn.edu.
authors: Amy R
authors: AR
authors: Mobley
authors: Department of Communication, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
authors: Jakob D
authors: JD
authors: Jensen
authors: Nutrition Education Programs, Purdue University Extension, West Lafayette, IN.
authors: Melissa K
authors: MK
authors: Maulding
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D058620:Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D063105:Food Assistance; D005522:Food Services; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D043322:Lactase / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000191:economics; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D011203:Poverty; D012648:Self Care; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D043322:Lactase
keywords: calcium; low-income population; milk; older adults; women