Diagnosis 2025;114(3):51-59
Occupational and residential differences in dairy and calcium intake in Mongolia
Tuul Nyambal 1 ; Khulan Lkhamsuren 2 ; Soninkhishig Tsolmon 3
Affiliations
Keywords
dairy; calcium; urban–rural differences; herders; students; FFQ
Country
Mongolia
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.
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