Is low-fat milk or whole milk more suitable for children?

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, indicates that the current public health recommendations that recommend low-fat dairy products for children over two years of age may need to be revised

As part of the Milky Way study, Therese O'Sullivan, associate professor of ECU, led a survey on children's consumption of full-fat dairy products

Over a period of three months, 49 healthy children aged 4 to 6 were randomly assigned to full-fat or low-fat dairy products to replace their normal dairy intake

In order to ensure that the purchase price is not a factor, the researchers will deliver them to the door in ordinary packaging every two weeks, without charging any fees to the participants

Children in both groups did not know whether they were consuming full-fat or low-fat dairy products, and any remaining dairy products were weighed every two weeks to assess their overall intake

No healthy changes

For the first time, researchers have comprehensively measured children's obesity, body composition, blood pressure and blood biomarkers to monitor the impact of their consumption of dairy products

Regardless of whether they consumed whole-fat or low-fat dairy products, the calories consumed by the two groups of children were similar

Although children who consume low-fat dairy products consume less calories and fat from dairy products, they naturally turn to other foods and beverages to make up for this difference

Professor O'Sullivan said that the results of the study showed that there were no significant differences in obesity and cardiovascular health between the two groups

She said: "It was previously believed that low-fat dairy products are beneficial to children because they have lower saturated fat levels and lower energy density, which helps to avoid the risk of obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases

"Our research results show that healthy children can safely consume full-fat dairy products without increasing obesity or adversely affecting cardiometabolism

"Considering our research results and previous research, future revisions to the dietary guidelines should consider recommending that children two years of age and older consume full-fat or low-fat dairy products

Analise Nicholl, a nutritionist and PhD candidate for the study, said this will make parents' lives easier

"This evidence-based approach will help simplify parents' choice of dairy products and allow children to consume dairy products according to their personal preferences

Journal Reference :

1. Analise Nicholl, Kane E Deering, Kate Evelegh, Philippa Lyons-Wall, David Lawrence, Trevor A Mori, Mario Kratz, Therese A O'Sullivan.