A new showed an increasing number of consumers, and in particular millennials, are receptive to including animal fat in their diets.

The survey results across all ages showed 13 percent of those surveyed open to animal fat, up from 9 percent a year ago. Also, 9 percent said their consumption has increased this year, compared with 6 percent in 2015.

Among millennials (defined as those ages 18 to 34) this year’s study showed 24 percent saying they are receptive to animal fats, a marked increase over the 15 percent last year. In addition, 20 percent of millennials report having increased their intake of animal fats compared to 13 percent in 2015.

Ipos Research surveyed 1,000 adults Oct. 2-5, 2016, in a study commissioned by Coast Packing Company, a Vernon, Calif., supplier of animal fat shortenings.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, millennials are now the nation’s largest generation and include some 75.4 million people.  Forty-one percent eat out at least twice a week, compared to 37 percent of Baby Boomers and a like number of Gen Xers, per a study from foodservice research firm Technomic.  Millennials spend 15 percent more of their discretionary income on experiences than other demographic groups.

Age remains the most decisive differentiator among the various demographic filters, the survey found.  Flipping the age bracket around, a greater percentage of those 55 and older were less open to animal fats (40 percent) than any other age group, almost double the response from millennials. Those 35 to 54 years of age were most set in their ways, with 61 percent indicating that there had been no change in their attitudes in recent years.

According to the study, the gender divide is pronounced: 18 percent of men are now more open to animal fats, compared to 8 percent of women. Consumption patterns generally track attitudes, with nearly three times as many men reporting an increase in their consumption of animal fats (14 percent) compared to 5 percent of women.

Conversely, 43 percent of women reported cutting back on animal fats versus 37 percent of men.