Is low-fat or whole-fat milk better for kids? Science says it makes no difference

Date:
October 12, 2021
Source:
Edith Cowan University
Summary:
A new study has found whole fat dairy is just as good for kids as
low- fat.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A world-first study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found whole
fat milk is just as good for kids as low fat.


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The research, published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
today, suggests current public health advice recommending children over
the age of two consume low fat dairy products may need to be revised.

ECU's Associate Professor Therese O'Sullivan led the investigation into
the consumption of full-fat dairy products in children as part of the
Milky Way study.

Over a three-month period, 49 healthy children aged four to six were
randomly allocated to receive either whole fat or low-fat dairy products
in place of their normal dairy intake.

Dairy products were home delivered every fortnight in plain packaging
at no cost to the participants, to ensure purchase price wasn't a factor.

Neither group knew whether they were consuming whole fat or low-fat dairy, while any left over products were weighed each fortnight to assess the children's overall intake.



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No health changes For the first time, researchers comprehensively
measured the children's obesity, body composition, blood pressure,
and blood biomarkers to monitor the effects of their dairy consumption.

Regardless of whether they were consuming whole fat or low-fat dairy,
both groups of children took in similar amounts of calories.

Although children consuming low-fat dairy took in less calories and fat
from dairy, they naturally turned to other foods and drinks to make up
this difference.

Professor O'Sullivan said the findings showed no significant differences between the groups' obesity or cardiovascular health.



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"It had previously been thought young children would benefit from low
fat dairy products due to their lower levels of saturated fats and lower density of energy, in turn helping avoid obesity and risk of associated cardiometabolic diseases," she said.

"Our results suggest healthy children can safely consume whole fat dairy products without increased obesity or adverse cardiometabolic effects.

"With consideration of our results and previous research, future revisions
of dietary guidelines should consider recommending children aged two and
over can consume either whole fat or reduced fat dairy." Dietitian and
PhD candidate on the study Analise Nicholl said this would make life
easier for parents.

"This evidence-based approach would help simplify
parents' dairy choices and allow children to
consume dairy according to their individual preference." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Edith_Cowan_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Analise Nicholl, Kane E Deering, Kate Evelegh, Philippa Lyons-Wall,
David
Lawrence, Trevor A Mori, Mario Kratz, Therese A
O'Sullivan. Whole-fat dairy products do not adversely affect
adiposity or cardiometabolic risk factors in children in the
Milky Way Study: a double-blind randomized controlled pilot
study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2021 DOI:
10.1093/ajcn/nqab288 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211012095035.htm

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