Occupational and residential differences in dairy and calcium intake in Mongolia
- VernacularTitle:Монгол хүмүүсийн сүү болон кальцийн хэрэглээг ажил эрхлэлтийн болон байршлын ялгаатай байдлыг судалсан дүн
- Author:
Tuul Nyambal
1
;
Khulan Lkhamsuren
2
;
Soninkhishig Tsolmon
3
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Science
2. School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Science
3. Graduate School of Business, Mongolian University of Science and Technology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
dairy;
calcium;
urban–rural differences;
herders;
students;
FFQ
- From:
Diagnosis
2025;114(3):51-59
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Although dairy is traditional in Mongolia, urbanization and lifestyle changes have produced uneven consumption patterns. We aimed to quantify dairy and calcium intakes across demographic groups and compare them with national recommendations. In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 142 adults (workers 39, herders 38, students 41, retirees 24). A food frequency questionnaire (11 dairy groups; 250 items) was used to estimate daily intakes. Calcium and fiber were derived from international food composition tables. Group differences were assessed using the Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal– Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc (Benjamini–Hochberg adjustment), and Spearman correlation.
Dairy intake differed markedly by residence: rural participants had a 6.69-fold higher
mean (95% CI 4.13–10.51) and a 3.38-fold
higher median (95% CI 2.49–5.89) than
urban participants (Wilcoxon p<0.001). By
occupation, herders had the highest intakes
(Kruskal–Wallis χ²(3)=37.4, p=3.8×10⁻⁷);
Dunn’s tests showed herders > workers/
students/retirees (adjusted p<0.05 for most
pairs). Estimated calcium intake averaged
~600 mg/day in urban participants (below
the 800 mg/day target) and
~2700 mg/day in rural participants
(approaching the tolerable upper level in
some cases). Students had the lowest
intakes, and women consumed less than
men. A weak inverse association was
observed between fiber and dairy intake.
Dairy intake varied significantly across
occupational
subgroups
(χ²(3)=37.4,
p=3.8×10⁻⁷). Calcium inadequacy was
more common in urban groups—especially
students and women—whereas very high
intakes were observed among rural herders.
- Full text:2025111013401551588Diagnosis-2025-114(3)-51-59.pdf
