| FEATURES |
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  Fuel Up to Play 60 Delivers on First Lady's Platform to Combat Childhood Obesity
In response to the health crisis among American youth, National Dairy Council (NDC) partnered with the NFL to launch Fuel Up to Play 60, a program that empowers youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. Fuel Up to Play 60 has recently earned recognition across the private and public sectors, with support from USDA, multiple health organizations and several major corporations. The momentum continues to build as Fuel Up to Play 60 shares the ambitious and attainable goals outlined by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let's Move
On January 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) joined NDC and the NFL as a partner on Fuel Up to Play 60. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack joined NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, DMI CEO Thomas P. Gallagher and Action for Healthy Kids founding chair and 16th U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher in making the announcement at a New York City public school. Leaders from several nutrition and health organizations and corporations also joined the group in showing their commitment to helping the next generation of youth achieve healthier lifestyles. Vilsack noted the new public-private partnership is “a significant milestone in the fight against childhood obesity” because it will “help educate our youth about steps they can and should take to lead healthy lives.”
On February 9, Fuel Up to Play 60 announced it is joining the First Lady’s call to improve the health of our next generation, and will aim to reach even more schools across the country during the 2010-2011 school year. All schools participating in Fuel Up to Play 60 will have access to a customizable program, which includes action strategies related to nutrient-rich foods and physical activity, in-school promotional materials and an interactive Web site to facilitate positive changes in the school environment.
More good news: Fuel Up to Play 60 recently hit its goal for the 2009-2010 school year, now officially reaching more than 60,000 schools. More information about the program is available on its Web site. To view video footage and photos from the January 15 event, visit the Fuel Up to Play 60 Media Resource Center.
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| BREAKING NEWS & RESEARCH |
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NIH Panel: Avoiding Dairy Due to Lactose Intolerance Is Unnecessary in Most Cases and May Pose Diet, Health Risks
 People may avoid milk and other dairy products due to concerns about lactose intolerance, but eliminating these nutrient-rich foods may not only be unnecessary to manage the condition – it could impact diet and health, concluded a panel of experts assembled by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in February.
The NIH Consensus Development Conference on Lactose Intolerance and Health convened to examine the latest research on lactose intolerance, strategies to manage the condition and the health outcomes of diets that exclude dairy foods. After a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the Consensus Development Conference panel completed a draft consensus statement that is intended to correct some of the common misperceptions about lactose intolerance, including the belief that dairy foods need to be excluded from the diet.
The panel said that without low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products in the diet, it’s hard to meet nutrient needs, and available research suggests people with lactose intolerance can tolerate at least 12 grams of lactose, the amount in about 1 cup of milk, with no or minor symptoms. Plus, gradually re-introducing dairy into the diet can help manage symptoms and help people with lactose intolerance benefit from dairy’s unique nutrient package, including calcium, vitamin D, protein, potassium and other nutrients that are critical for bone health and beyond.
For more information about the NIH conference and NDC’s perspective, click here. And based on the conference outcomes, NDC has developed new lactose intolerance resources for health professionals – learn more in the Day-to-Day Dairy section.
Youth Trends: Less Milk, More Soda
According to the Let's Move and several other health authorities, children and adolescents should consume 2 to 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk each day to support critical bone growth and development. Unfortunately, two new analyses show children are drinking far less milk and far more soda and fruit drinks.
One Analysis examined data from national food surveys from select time periods between 1977 to 2006, and revealed a marked decrease in average milk intake for children ages 2-18, falling to only 5 ounces a day by 2003-2006. Over the same time period, calories from sugar sweetened beverages (soda and fruit drinks) for children and teens increased from 87 to 154 calories per day.
Similarly, researchers who conducted a 5-year study , Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), noted the trend among Minnesota teens of more sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption and less milk consumption. Researchers found that over the course of five years, higher consumption of white milk was associated with less weight gain.
In a success story, on the other hand, a systemic change in beverage offerings was made in New York City public schools in an effort to decrease students’ fat and calorie intake while maintaining nutrient consumption, and was met with impressive results. Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, school cafeterias phased out whole milk and replaced it with low-fat or fat-free white milk and fat-free chocolate milk. Based on purchasing data, it was estimated that the district’s milk-drinking students were served 5,960 fewer calories and 619 fewer grams of fat per student on average in 2009 than in 2004. In addition, chocolate milk accounted for more than half (approximately 60 percent) of the milk purchased both before and after the policy change.
Low-fat and fat-free flavored milk is a nutrient-rich beverage that provides the same nine essential nutrients as unflavored milk, including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). Read more about flavored milk and learn the latest facts on this important source of dairy nutrition for children in “Flavored Milk in Perspective.” Also, access National Dairy Council’s Child Nutrition resources to learn more about the key role dairy foods play in child and adolescent health.
ADA Calls for Nutrient-Rich Foods First
According to the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than half of adults reported taking a dietary supplement in the past month. However, according to an updated position paper from the American Dietetic Association (ADA), eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods offers the best strategy to meet nutrient needs and lower the risk of chronic disease. Examples of nutrient-rich foods include lean meats, low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt and cheese, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
According to this paper, food and nutrition professionals (such as registered dietitians) have the responsibility to provide guidance to patients and clients regarding the effectiveness, safety and judicious use of dietary supplements – while continuing to educate the public on how to make wise food choices. National Dairy Council and the Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition offer free nutrition materials to help food and nutrition professionals educate consumers and clients.
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| NDC BLOG HIGHLIGHTS |
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The Latest Dairy Dialogue
 The Dairy Report, National Dairy Council’s blog, is the destination for online conversations on the latest nutrition and health research news, events, analysis and opinion, including the following recent posts:
Join the conversation by visiting The Dairy Report, and don’t forget to sign up for weekly e-mail alerts by clicking on the “Get the Dairy Report Via” box! | | |
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| DAY-TO-DAY DAIRY |
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Available Now! New Lactose Intolerance Resources
 Look no further than National Dairy Council’s new Lactose Intolerance Health Education Kit for research summaries, a turnkey presentation, fact sheets, template articles and other resources that provide management strategies to help individuals with lactose intolerance enjoy dairy foods and help meet their nutrient needs.
Earlier this year, more than 1,500 registered dietitians and other health professionals attended National Dairy Council’s "Lactose Intolerance: Health Consequences and Nutrition Solutions" Webinar. Theresa Nicklas, DrPH, MPH, of Baylor College of Medicine, and Wilma Wooten, MD, MPH, Health Officer and National Medical Association board member, shared overviews and insights on the latest research on lactose intolerance prevalence, implications for consumption of key dairy nutrients and strategies for including dairy foods in the diet. If you were unable to attend the Webinar, click here to access a recording and a certificate of completion for one CPE credit.
Get answers on lactose intolerance by accessing these resources today!
Spice Up Lunchtime
 Our Turkey Cheddar Wrap with Spiced Yogurt Spread recipe is a delicious way to shake up the mid-day meal routine. Made with low-fat yogurt, this appetizing wrap offers 20 percent of the recommended Daily Value of calcium (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) and 13 grams of protein per serving, as well as other nutrients. With a total prep and cook time of 15 minutes, it’s a perfect solution for lunch on the go. Visit NationalDairyCouncil.org to get other great recipe ideas using low-fat or fat-free dairy foods anytime! | |
| MORE FROM NDC |
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Dairy Council Digest Busts Dairy Myths
 Check out the latest issues of Dairy Council Digest for focused, in-depth reviews of recent nutrition research. The January/February issue counters several common misperceptions surrounding dairy foods with science. Topics include raw milk, flavored milk, acne, autism and more.
Also, accumulating research suggests that increased intake of high quality protein may help preserve older adults’ muscle and bone mass. Access the March/April Dairy Council Digest, “Dietary Protein’s Role in Healthy Aging,” to learn more.
Ask the Expert: Lactose Intolerance
Expert: Jeanette Newton Keith, MD, a gastroenterologist with specialized training in clinical nutrition
Question: If I'm lactose intolerant do I really need to keep dairy in my diet? I want to do what's best for my health, but don't want to be uncomfortable.
 Answer: Here’s the bottom line: Milk and milk products are such a practical source of important nutrients that it’s difficult for most people to meet recommendations for key nutrients – calcium, potassium, magnesium and more – without consuming at least three servings daily. And the nutrients in dairy foods, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, are associated with reduced risk of several chronic medical conditions like osteoporosis, hypertension and diabetes.
Because of all this, I encourage you to keep dairy in your diet. I know lactose intolerance can cause discomfort, and it’s a highly individual condition. So I encourage you to follow these tips, gradually reintroducing dairy foods to your body and giving it three or more weeks to adapt.
Using these tips, many lactose intolerant individuals can come to enjoy again the three daily servings of low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for people age 9 and older.
• Choose lactose-free milk and milk products - they're real dairy foods, just without the lactose
• Drink small amounts of milk with meals, or cook with milk
• Try dairy foods with a lower lactose content; natural cheeses are naturally lower in lactose
• Eat yogurt with live and active cultures
• Take lactase enzyme supplements
NDC and ADA Foundation Join Forces to Improve Child Nutrition
National Dairy Council is proud to help launch "Kids Eat Right,” a new joint campaign from the American Dietetic Association(ADA) and American Dietetic Association Foundation (ADAF). The campaign creates a platform for ADA to improve the health of the public through its membership of registered dietitians (RDs)—the nutrition experts. The 5-year plan includes expanding the RD’s role as the recognized nutrition authority, increasing ADA member involvement in prevention of childhood obesity, and helping the nation’s kids eat right. | | | |