Rosemont, Ill., November 14, 2005 - New research in the latest issue of Obesity Research (published by NAASO, the Obesity Society), suggests that people shouldn’t cut milk and other dairy products out of their diets when trying to lose weight.
In this year-long clinical trial conducted at the University of Vermont, overweight and obese adults consuming 3-4 servings of dairy a day as part of a reduced-calorie diet lost a significant amount of weight and body fat.
Researchers monitored the diet progress of 44 study participants, who were either on a high-dairy diet (3-4 servings of dairy/1200-1400 mg calcium) or lower dairy diet (about one serving/400-500 mg calcium). The daily energy deficit – which is caloric restriction combined with exercise – was approximately 500-650 calories per day, varying between subjects. After six months, adults on the high-dairy diet saw an average body fat decrease of 27.5 percent and after 12 months, they had lost an average of nearly 24 pounds.
“This study confirms that you can consume up to four servings of dairy a day and still lose weight,” said Greg Miller, PhD, senior vice president, nutrition and product innovation, National Dairy Council. “A growing body of scientific research continues to strengthen the connection between dairy consumption and weight management.”
Previously published clinical trials have found that overweight and obese adults who consumed 3 servings of dairy each day lost twice as much weight and fat as those on low-dairy diets (one serving or less), when the groups had similar reductions in calories. Additionally, numerous population-based studies show a connection between a diet adequate in calcium and lower body weight.
Because dairy products naturally contain calcium, protein and other essential nutrients, getting 3 servings each day improves the nutritional quality of the diet, whether you are dieting or not. However, most Americans are not consuming the recommended amounts of calcium and dairy foods. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002), 86 percent of American women and 76 percent of men do not meet the current dairy recommendations.
For more information about the science behind the dairy and weight-loss connection, visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org or www.2424milk.com. In addition, delicious recipes and tips on how to get 3-A-Day of Dairy are available at www.3aday.org.
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The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council (ADA/NDC) is managed by Dairy Management, Inc., the nonprofit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible for increasing demand for U.S.-produced dairy products on behalf of America’s dairy farmers.
Source:
Harvey-Berino J, et al. The impact of dairy product consumption on weight loss. Obesity Research. 2005;13:1720-1726.
Editor’s Note:
For more information about the study or to schedule an interview with a National Dairy Council spokesperson, please call the NDC Media Hotline at (312) 240-2880. The NDC Hotline is staffed by a registered dietitian between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays.