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News Alert Archives
International Journal of Obesity Study Finds No Link Between Dairy Consumption and Increased Body Fat in Teenage Girls
Rosemont, Ill., August 25, 2003 – 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.
Please visit www.3aday.org for more tips and quick and easy recipe ideas or the Healthy Weight Education kit at www.nationaldairycouncil.org for more information on the benefits of dairy foods in managing weight.
You can rely on the National Dairy Council for credible,
up-to-date news on dairy nutrition research, public policies on nutritional
issues and special dairy nutrition campaigns. Please browse the
News Alert archives or use the search located above the left hand
navigation for more information. If you can't find what you are looking for or
have additional questions, please contact our Nutrition & Health News
Bureau via phone at 312-240-2880 or via e-mail at
ndc@dairyinformation.com.
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