20 Italian regions
1,992 Italian adults were randomly recruited by 200 general practitioners (GP) in 20 Italian regions in 2013 (Liquidi e Zuccheri nella popolazione italiana: liquids and sugars in the Italian population). Food frequency questionnaires, anthropometrics and blood pressure were all measured by GPs.
A young woman, physically active
The typical Italian yogurt consumer (42.4% of the total sample consuming at least 1 yogurt a day) seemed to be a woman, aged<60y, BMI<25, normotensive, physically active, graduated, milk consumer, more aware of nutrition guidelines and taking care of a healthy nutritional practice. This type of yogurt consumer was also younger and had significantly smaller weight and BMI and systolic blood pressure, compared to non-consumers.
These results confirm the positive association between yogurt consumption and a healthy lifestyle. It also substantiate the association between yogurt intake and weight management and lower blood pressure in the Italian population.