Dairy Consumption Linked To Less Body Fat In Teens, Children
Posted on: Monday, 9 February 2009, 14:30 CST
New research from Boston University School of Medicine found that teens who consumed closer to three daily servings of dairy foods had less body fat and lower body mass indexes (BMI) than those who consumed less dairy.
“Our research found that adolescents who consumed less dairy had consistently higher levels of body fat,” said Dr. Lynn Moore of Boston University School of Medicine, the study’s lead author.
“The results further support existing evidence that consuming low-fat and fat-free dairy products as part of a healthy diet may protect against adding excess body fat for adolescents.”
The study examined the link between body fat and dairy consumption in more than 10,000 U.S. children and adolescents who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) in 1988-1994 and 1999-2002.
In both survey periods, the results demonstrated that a low dairy intake among 12-16 year-olds was associated with a higher BMI and greater body fat. Low dairy intake was defined as less than one serving per day for girls and less than two servings per day for boys.
Similar results were seen when examining total calcium intake in relation to body fat among the same age range. However, in younger children aged 5-11, there was no consistent association between dairy or calcium intake and body fat levels.
“Encouraging kids to eat three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt each day is an easy way to help them build and maintain strong, healthy bones, muscles and teeth,” said Ann Marie Krautheim, M.A., R.D., L.D., senior vice president of Nutrition Affairs for National Dairy Council, the nutrition research, education and communications arm of Dairy Management Inc.
“At a time when childhood obesity is one of our most urgent health concerns, it is critical to work to improve children’s health by educating and collaborating with health professionals, schools and parents to ensure that our nation’s youth reap the many health benefits of dairy’s unique package of several essential nutrients,” she said.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) encourages children and adolescents 9 years of age and older to consume three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt each day. The DGA identified five “nutrients of concern”, including fiber, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and magnesium, for which children have inadequate intakes. Dairy foods supply three of these shortfall nutrients—calcium, potassium and magnesium.
The new study was published in the December 2008 Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
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On the Net:
- National Dairy Council
- Boston University School of Medicine
- Journal of the American College of Nutrition Abstract
Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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