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A new study published in the September
issue of the International Journal of Obesity (IJO) concludes that dairy
consumption in adolescent girls is not associated with a higher body mass index
(BMI) or an increase in percentage of body fat. This study, which followed the
girls from pre-adolescence through adolescence, is the first in children to
analyze the relationship between dairy food consumption and body weight status
over time.
"Teenage girls can maintain a healthy weight and include dairy
products," said Aviva Must, associate professor of community health at
Tufts University and one of the study's authors. "Dispelling that myth is
important because the potential health benefits of the natural calcium in dairy
products, particularly its role in building bone mass, are so significant in
adolescent girls. The window for maximizing bone mass occurs only in adolescence
and doesn't occur again."
Dairy foods are the primary source of calcium for children and adolescents. The
daily recommended intake (DRI) for calcium in girls aged 12-18 years is 1,300 mg
-- the equivalent of four servings of milk, cheese or yogurt daily.
Research has shown that getting the calcium required to build bone mass in
adolescence may help prevent osteoporosis. Nearly nine out of 10 teenage girls
don't get the calcium they need, and this deficiency is largely driven by low
dairy intake.
"Many young women cut out dairy for fear of fat. This study shows that they
can keep milk, cheese and yogurt in their diets and maintain a healthy
weight," said Deanna Rose, registered dietitian, National Dairy Council.
"Dairy foods are the best natural sources of calcium and provide a unique
nutrient combination of nine essential nutrients. Parents and health
professionals should encourage teens to enjoy 3-4 servings of dairy a day, which
is as easy as having a slice of cheese, a glass of chocolate milk and a
container of yogurt."
Decreased calcium intake in children has been attributed to decreased milk
consumption resulting from increased consumption of sweetened drinks and the
shift to eating meals outside the home. The dairy case has something for
everyone, from fat free to reduced-fat varieties, to meet all taste preferences
and nutritional goals. Convenient, healthy options are plentiful -- yogurt,
string cheese, smoothies, lowfat flavored milks in grab-and-go containers, and
mini-pizzas with reduced fat cheeses.
Sources:
-- Phillips, S.M., Must, A. et al Dairy food consumption and body
weight and fatness studied longitudinally over the adolescent
period. International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 1106-1113.
doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802370.
-- National Institutes of Health. Consensus Development Conference on
Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. March 27-29, 2000.
-- Heaney, R.P. Calcium, dairy products, and osteoporosis. J. Am. Coll.
Nutr. 19(suppl): 83s, 2000.
-- USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, 1996.
Source: Dairy Management Inc.
Aug. 25, 2003
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