Vol. 7 No. 4
Too Little Dairy for Pregnant Teens May Affect Baby’s Bones
Pregnant teens getting fewer than 2 servings of dairy a day could be shortchanging the bone development of their babies. Using 10 years of data from an inner-city maternity clinic, researchers studied the relationship between dairy intake and fetal femur length in 350 pregnant 13-18 year old African Americans. Dairy intake was evaluated by a registered dietitian at the time the teens entered the prenatal care program. After adjusting for variables, the lowest dairy intake (fewer than 2 servings daily) resulted in significantly lower fetal femur length than the highest dairy intake (3 or more servings daily). Results also showed that the highest dairy intake resulted in overall better nutrition (e.g. adequate intake of nutrients including protein, vitamin A and iron) in this vulnerable population.
{Editor’s note: Most people can meet their calcium needs with 3 dairy servings a day, but all teens need about 4 servings of dairy a day, in order to reach the current calcium recommendation of 1300 mg/day. Practical suggestions for increasing dairy intake can be found on this Must Try Eats for Teens tip sheet and at www.3aday.org .}
Chang, S, et al. Fetal femur length is influenced by maternal dairy intake in pregnant African American adolescents. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 2003; 77:1248-1254.
Poor Beverage Choices May Put African American Girls At Risk for Disease
An analysis of beverage choices among children and adolescents, ages 6 to 19, found that beverage choices are notably different based on race/ethnicity. Based on data from USDA’s Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals, researchers note that white children and adolescents drink more beverages than their African American counterparts. Additionally, the data shows that African American children drink less milk than white or Hispanic children. According to the study, young white boys and girls consume about 1.4 and 1.2 servings of milk per day, whereas young African American boys and girls drink 1.0 and 0.8 servings per day, respectively. The researchers note that African American adolescent girls’ low beverage consumption – and particularly low milk consumption – is a concern for future bone health and for the risk of hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that is more prevalent in African Americans, but may be reduced by adequate intake of dairy foods, which provide important nutrients including calcium, magnesium and potassium.
{Editor’s note: See the Press & Media section on nationaldairycouncil.org for more information on the role the DASH eating plan plays in lowering blood pressure among African Americans.}
Forshee, RA, et al. Total beverage consumption and beverage choices among children and adolescents. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition . 2003; 54(4): 297-307.
Dairy Decreases Disease Risk for African Americans
African Americans can improve their health and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by eating a higher quality diet that includes calcium-rich dairy foods daily. This research review shows that African Americans who eat a varied diet including adequate servings of milk, cheese and yogurt – equal to 3 servings daily – decrease their risk for developing high blood pressure, insulin resistance (Syndrome X), stroke, heart disease and possibly overweight and obesity. These health benefits are achieved without significant side effects. In fact, studies have shown that symptoms of lactose intolerance can be minimized or eliminated by consuming a variety of dairy products along with complete meals. The authors conclude that a nutritionally complete diet including milk, cheese and yogurt is a first line health approach to lessen the incidence of chronic diseases affecting growing numbers of African Americans.
Reusser, ME, et al. Adequate Nutrient Intake Can Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in African Americans. Journal of the National Medical Association . 2003; 95(3):188-195.
Family Mealtimes Promote Healthy Adolescent Nutrition
A recent study of more than 18,000 adolescents indicates that parental presence at the evening is associated with an adolescent’s higher intake of dairy foods, fruits and vegetables, as well as the likelihood of eating breakfast. As a part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, food intake interviews were completed in participants’ homes. Results showed that adolescents who ate more than three evening family meals a week were significantly less likely to skip breakfast than those who ate three or fewer family meals. Adolescents who ate six or seven family meals were 27% less likely to report poor dairy food intake, 31% less likely to report poor fruit intake and 38% less likely to report poor vegetable intake than those eating three or fewer meals with the family. Positive results were also seen with four to five family meals per week. Researchers encourage dietitians and health professionals to educate parents regarding the positive effects of family meals on adolescent nutrition.
Videon, T, et al. Influences on Adolescent Eating Patterns: The Importance of Family Meals. Journal of Adolescent Health . 2003; 32(5):365-373.
Increasing Dietary Calcium May Help Control Body Weight and Cholesterol Levels
Recent data suggests that dietary calcium intake is associated with lower weight and body fat levels, as well as more desirable cholesterol levels. Women who consumed less than 600 mg of calcium a day were found to have higher body weight and body fat than women who consumed higher amounts of calcium. Furthermore, both men and women who consumed an average of at least 1,000 mg of calcium a day had “healthier” cholesterol levels (with respect to the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol) than those who consumed less than 600 mg of calcium a day. The study was based on data obtained from 235 men and 235 women ages 20-65. According to 3-day dietary records, the men and women got a majority of their calcium from dairy foods including milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. The researchers state that their findings on calcium and body weight are consistent with previous studies, but note that their study is the first to show a difference in cholesterol levels and calcium intake.
{Editor’s note: a growing body of research indicates that dairy foods and calcium may help people maintain healthy weight and body fat levels. For more information on the research, check out the Dairy Council Digest, The Role of Dairy Foods in Weight Management on www.nationaldairycouncil.org .}
Jacqmain, M, et al. Calcium intake, body composition, and lipoprotein-lipid concentrations in adults. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 2003; 77:1448-52.
Survey Lends Additional Support to the “All Foods Fit” Approach
Overall, adults and children who choose a combination of regular and lower-fat foods are most likely to meet Food Guide Pyramid recommendations according to a recent review of the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSF II). Selected foods targeted for review included cheeses, yogurts, salad dressings, and snacks – all available in regular and modified–fat versions. Researchers compared the nutrient intakes of three groups of respondents – exclusive high fat users, mixed users (consumed regular and lower-fat versions of foods) and non-users (no consumption of selected foods.) The respondents who selected a combination of lower and regular fat products met dietary guidelines for fat intake, had the highest micronutrient intake, and appeared to have the most balanced dietary intake. Researchers point out that the issue seems to be balancing fat intake on one hand and micronutrient intake on the other, noting that omitting specific food groups (e.g. milk products) or specific foods (e.g. red meat) can easily result in inadequate intake of calcium, iron, or zinc.
{Editor’s note: Additional studies show that dairy foods help improve the overall nutritional quality of the diet without increasing total calorie or fat intake, body weight or percent body fat.}
Sigman-Grant M, et al. Selected lower-fat foods positively impact nutrient quality in diets of free-living Americans. Journal of the American Dietetic Association . 2003; 103:570-576.
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