SECTION 1 AVERAGE CONSUMPTION OF MILK PER HEAD AND BY FAMILY
.
The average consumption during the seven days before the interview was 5.7 half pints per head and 20.4 half pints per family. The figures quoted below indicate sharp differences, and it will be seen from the family size figures that such differences are not due to differing family composition.
Figures quoted are half pints which, in the case of consumption per head, enables closer comparison.
A. Regional Distribution
.
Region
1/2 pts. Per family
1/2 pts. Per head
Size of family
1. Scotland
20.0
5.2
3.8
2. S. Wales
17.8
5.5
3.65
3. N. Midland
24.2
6.2
3.9
4. N. West
21.0
6.1
3.47
5. N. & N. East
18.0
5.2
3.5
6. Midland
19.8
5.3
3.67
7. London & S.E
17.9
5.3
3.37
8. South
23.6
6.1
3.8
9. S. West
22.3
6.2
3.6
10. East England
26.3
7.0
3.77
Whole Sample
20.4
5.7
3.59
(A note given in the section on the sample shows that the family composition of the sample follows recent population trends).
In order to show the distribution of the amounts consumed, the average consumption per family is shown against Median, Upper and Lower Quartiles for the regional series. The Median is the halfway point in the sample, the Upper and Lower Quartiles are respectively the first and third quarters of the sample. Thus the Median figures for any region give that number of half-pints which a half of the sample in the region exceeds and half of pints the sample in the region fails to attain. Similarly, the Quartile figures gives those number of half-pints which a quarter or three-quarters of the sample attains.
Scotland
S. Wales
N. Midland
N.W.
N. & N.E.
Midland
London & S.W.
South
S.W.
E. England
Average
20.0
17.8
24.2
21.0
18.0
19.8
17.9
23.6
22.3
26.3
Median
13.9
16.0
21.9
17.3
13.7
15.5
14.0
20.8
18.0
21.0
Upper Quartile
9.46
13.0
14.6
13.3
11.5
10.0
9.5
13.4
13.1
14.0
Lower Quartile
25.3
26.0
28.9
27.4
23.0
27.1
21.2
27.8
27.5
27.8
It will be seen that minorities in Scotland, N. & N. East, Midland, London and S. East are well below average, whereas a minority in N. Midland, North West, South and S. West are well above average.
26
FAMILY TYPE: CONSUMPTION PER HEAD
(½ pints)
5.2
5.7
7.4
5.6
Adults only
Adults + 5 - 18s
Adults + 0 - 5s
Adults, 0 - 5s 5 - 18s
27
18.
B. Distribution in Different Social Groups
.
Consumption per head in different social groups varies much less than Regional Differences indicated above.
Social Group
A.
B.
C.
D.
½ pts. per head.
6.1
6.4
5.6
5.0
Adults per family.
3.34
2.72
2.75
2.5
5-18s
per family in families with 5-18s
s
1.52
1.43
1.61
1.91
5-18s
in whole sample.
.43
.4
.58
.87
Mouths per family
3.9
3.26
3.54
3.74
It will be noticed that apart from A families the size of whole family varies inversely with consumption per head. There are, however, more 5-18s per family (a priority group) in the D families than in B and C families. This would appear to indicate that the families are sharing the priority milk whilst other families buy milk for adults in addition.
The distribution of consumption per family
.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Average ½ pts. Per family
25.57
21.24
20.14
19.24
Median.
20.5
19.0
16.0
14.0
Upper Quartile.
13.3
11.8
12.0
11.4
Lower Quartile.
34.5
27.5
27.1
27.1
It will be seen from these figures that emphasis is given to the suggestion made previously that a pooling of 5-18s' priority milk is taking place in some families. (See also Section 4, Adults’ Consumption).
C. Distribution in Different Types of Families.
For this analysis a distinction was made between families with adults only and families with either, or both, of the priority age groups (0-5, 5-18).
Type of Family
Adults only
Adults & 5-18s
Adults & 0-5s
Adults, 5-18s
& 0-5s
½ pts. Per head
5.2
5.7
7.4
5.6
Mouths per family.
2.87
4.21
3.66
5.48
Adults per family.
2.87
2.6
2.4
2.45
5-18s
per family.
1.64
1.9
0-5s
per family.
1.26
1.13
It will be seen that families with infants consume considerably more milk per head. Similarly, the 5-18 priority groupincrease the consumption of their families.
The distribution of consumption per family is shown below.
Adults Only
Adults & 5-18s
Adults & 0-5
s
Adults, 5-18
s
& 0-5
s
Average ½ pts. per family.
13.8
22.0
27.7
32.9
Median
13.2
21.5
27.1
27.8
Upper Quartile.
7.9
13.6
20.5
27.0
Lower Quartile.
17.5
33.0
33.3
40.3
It will be seen that the most uneven distribution is in families with adults and 5-18s
. In families with 5-18s
and with both 5-18s
and 0-5
s
there are minorities consuming considerably more than the average.
28
CONSUMPTION OF MILK AT GIVEN LEVELS OF CONSUMPTION PER HEAD IN SOCIAL GROUPS.
