Determining the Feasibility of Milk Vending Machines to Improve Calcium Intake Among College Students

Abstract

Calcium intake declines from late adolescence to young adulthood, in part, due to decreases in accessibility to milk and dairy products. While milk vending has shown demonstrated success in secondary schools, no studies have examined whether milk vending improves calcium intake among college students. We hypothesized that milk and calcium intake would be higher among college students given access to milk vending in their dormitory (milk vending consumers) compared to those lacking access in their dormitory (non-milk vending consumers). Milk vending machines were installed in two dormitories, and two dormitories having non-milk beverage vending served as comparison sites. Students completed a calcium intake questionnaire at the point of milk (n = 73) or non-milk (n = 79) beverage vending purchases. Mean total calcium intake was higher in milk vending consumers (1245 + 543 mg/d) compared to non-milk vending consumers (1042 + 447 mg/d) (p = 0.01). Adjusting for gender and milk vending consumer status, there was a positive association between past month milk vending purchases and daily calcium intake from milk (p < 0.001). Fiftyseven students without in-dormitory access to milk vending reported an interest in milk vending if made available. Milk vending may serve as a novel approach.