Survey: 77% of Latino women avoid milk to manage lactose intolerance

Sep 22 2009

A new Lactose Intolerance in Multicultural Communities Survey sponsored by the LACTAID(R) Brand found that 77 percent of Latinas reduce the amount of milk or dairy in their diet as a way to manage their lactose intolerance. Yet, 63 percent of Latinas who have lactose intolerance worry the condition keeps them from consuming important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins A and D. Despite their concerns, only 14 percent have talked to a health care professional about lactose intolerance.

The study found that more than half of Latinas are unsure about what foods may cause discomfort and 12 percent remove dairy from their diet completely as a way to control their lactose intolerance. This is concerning as dairy foods and beverages contain key essential nutrients that are important for a healthy lifestyle.

Since 50 to 80 percent of Latinos may have symptoms of lactose intolerance, there is a need for a greater understanding of how to manage the condition. In fact, lactose intolerance is easy to diagnose and easy to manage, without forgoing dairy and the foods Latinas and their families love. That's why to help educate women about lactose intolerance, the LACTAID(R) Brand has partnered with Angelica Vale, Mexican comedian and actress, who is lactose intolerant and who has learned to enjoy dairy and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"Although I am lactose intolerant, milk and dairy products are an important part of my diet. I rely on LACTAID(R) Milk to ensure I drink real, delicious milk everyday and consume the nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle," said Vale. "I love to make fruit licuados for breakfast, and because I have a sweet tooth, desserts like flan are a perfect ending to dinner. So it's great that I can manage my lactose intolerance without giving up my favorite traditional dishes."

The LACTAID(R) Brand recently conducted the Lactose Intolerance in Multicultural Communities Survey to gain insight into how multicultural women, who are more likely to have lactose intolerance, understand and manage the condition. Additional findings include:

• Fifty-eight percent of Latinas feel inconvenienced by their condition.
• Seventy-eight percent want to keep dairy in their diet because of its health benefits - 40 percent because it is a natural source of calcium and nutrients and 38 percent to maintain healthy bones.
• A majority of Latinas are worried about managing their lactose intolerance in social settings.
  • Seventy-eight percent worry about experiencing symptoms when enjoying a meal with others.
  • Sixty-five percent feel they have to avoid certain foods before or during social events.
  • Forty-six percent are uncertain about eating foods prepared by friends or family.
• Sixty-three percent of Latinas do not know that lactose-free products, like LACTAID(R) Milk, Ice Cream and Cottage Cheese, have the same important nutrients found in regular milk and dairy products.