title: Consumption of milk and dairy products: Facts and figures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Consumption of milk has been declining sharply in recent decades, particularly in developed countries. One of the reasons for this decline is the diagnosis or perception of lactose intolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate average consumption of milk and dairy products in the Campania region of Italy, one of the main producers of dairy products in the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals aged 18 to 75 y and living in Campania were invited to answer an online questionnaire regarding their average consumption of milk and dairy products. The questionnaire was posted on the public access hospital site, as well as on several Facebook pages of friends and hospital personnel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found that 22.2% (260 of 1173) of responders from Campania do not drink milk, and 18.1% (213 of 1173) drink lactose-free milk, mainly because of gastrointestinal symptoms. The vast majority of the sample population chose to avoid consuming milk without undergoing the breath test for lactose intolerance or consulting a doctor. Women and underweight people drink more lactose-free milk than milk containing lactose. The population sample does not avoid dairy products; rather, they seem to be consumed quite frequently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data support the need for mandatory implementation of a nutritional campaign to increase understanding regarding, for example, unnecessary avoidance of milk and excessive consumption of cheese.
authors.affiliation: Celiac Center, Gastrointestinal Unit, AOU S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: fabiana.zingone@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Fabiana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zingone
authors.affiliation: Celiac Center, Gastrointestinal Unit, AOU S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.affiliation: Celiac Center, Gastrointestinal Unit, AOU S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iovino
authors.affiliation: Celiac Center, Gastrointestinal Unit, AOU S. Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciacci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D019648:Foods, Specialized; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007558:Italy; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dairy products; Fluid milk; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Lactose intolerance