[Relationship between primary lactose malabsorption and consumption of dairy products]

This study was designed to determine the influence of lactose malabsorption on the consumption of dairy products. We studied 157 children and 43 adults. The Breath-hydrogen test was used to define their level of lactose digestion. The prevalence of lactose maldigesters was 12%. We found a large relationship between the consumption of milk and milk products and age. Malabsorbers consumed more fermented dairy products (ripened cheese and yogurt) than did absorbers (p < 0.05). Subjects with normal lactose absorption consumed more milk, butter, cream cheese and global lactose than the maldigesters (p < 0.05). Lactose intolerance, familiar consumption and geographic origins had little influence on an individual's consumption habits.