Physical Activity, Taste Preferences, Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics: Differentiators of Consumer Behavior Among Older Adults in the Dairy Market in Poland—A Pilot Study

Background: Dairy products contain many nutrients that are important for the human body, as they serve to maintain its physiological functions and protect against many diseases. Their consumption by older adults, however, raises certain doubts, including the risks of lactase deficiency, milk protein allergy, etc. Functional dairy products can help maintain or increase the consumption of dairy products among the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between older adults’ habitual purchases of dairy products and their taste preferences and frequency of buying functional dairy products, physical activity, and selected socioeconomic characteristics. Materials and methods: This study was conducted between July and October 2024, among 310 people aged 60 and over in Poland. The study collected data on the frequency of buying dairy products (the PF-DP scale), preferences (the P_DP scale), physical activity (the IPAQ questionnaire), and socio-demographic and economic characteristics. The PCA identified three patterns of buying behavior. The relationship between the identified buying behavior patterns and their determinants was verified using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Chi-square. Results: It was found that high intensity of the “conventional dairy products and fats” pattern correlated with high taste preferences (Me = 8.0; p < 0.05), living with family regardless of whether with or without a partner (11.8% and 15.8%; p = 0.002), high physical activity (MET = 5975.5; p = 0.004), including movement (MET = 1803.0; p = 0.028), sports and recreational activities (MET = 1908.0, p = 0.017), and frequent purchases of different functional food groups. The financial situation described as “we have an average standard of living” was related to the high intensity of the “dairy fat” pattern (62.3%; p = 0.018) and its moderate intensity to the high activity associated with movement (MET = 1788.0; p = 0.004). More than half of the sample never purchased functional dairy products. A high intensity of the “conventional dairy products and fats” pattern was associated with more frequent purchases of functional products compared to other patterns. Conclusions: The higher physical activity of older people was accompanied by a higher intensity of the “conventional dairy products and fats” pattern and more frequent purchases of functional dairy products. An evaluation of the relationships between the determinants and buying behaviors of older people in the dairy market, especially their causal nature, requires further research.