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Health & Nutrition News Alert

November - December 2002 (Vol. 6 No. 6)

Missing Out on Milk? You May Be Missing Out on Key Nutrients
New research shows teens are sipping sodas and missing out on milk, and their intake of key nutrients are suffering. Researchers examined the diets of 732 teen girls ages 12 to 19 to determine the impact of beverage choices on nutrient intake. At 12 years old, 78 percent of girls drank milk and had the lowest soda intake; however, at 19 years old, they consumed more soda and only 36 percent drank milk. Further results showed that girls who drank milk had a more nutritious diet than those who did not: in fact, those who did not drink milk had inadequate intakes of several key nutrients, including vitamin A, folate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The authors recommend that parents encourage their children to drink milk with meals and include other calcium-rich food sources – such as cheese and yogurt – in meal planning.

Bowman, S.A. Beverage choices of young females: changes and impact on nutrient intakes. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2002; 102: 1234-1239.

Skimping on Milk May Harm Bones
A new study reaffirms that milk really does do bones and bodies good. Researchers evaluated dietary calcium intakes, bone mineral content, bone size and bone mineral density (BMD) in children to determine the implications of not drinking milk over the long term. Results indicated that the children who didn’t drink milk had significantly lower calcium intakes, were significantly shorter, had smaller bones and lower bone mineral density than the children who regularly consumed milk. Furthermore, the researchers note that the children who didn’t drink milk had sustained a higher number of bone fractures, suggesting that avoiding milk may put them at risk for fracture. They also suggest that since milk is a rich source of many important nutrients, avoiding it could also negatively affect general growth and development.

Black, R.E. et al. Children who avoid drinking cow milk have low dietary calcium intakes and poor bone health. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002; 76: 675-680.

Women: Drink to your Bone Health
New research reaffirms that drinking milk is beneficial in obtaining peak bone mineral density (BMD) in women. In a study designed to identify factors that affect BMD in the forearm, researchers studied dietary intakes, weight, height and body mass index among 900 Norwegian women ages 19-35. After accounting for effects due to age and weight, results found that women who didn’t drink milk were nearly twice as likely to have low BMD. Additionally, calcium intake was associated with higher BMD, and the researchers found the positive association between BMD and calcium was due to milk consumption. The researchers note “not only is milk beneficial because of its supply of necessary calcium, but milk protein may also suppress osteoclast—cells responsible for bone breakdown.” Furthermore, the results support that the milk-drinking habit may help achieve increased BMD.

Hawker, G.A. et al. Correlates of forearm bone mineral density in young Norwegian women. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2002; 156: 418-427.

From Classroom to Cafeteria:
Creating a Healthy School Eating Environment for Kids
A new commentary concluded that although school meals are becoming healthier, less nutritious competitive food options – such as snacks, sodas and convenience foods – are influencing students’ choices. These competitive foods are sold a-la-carte, in vending machines and in school stores and are contributing to the development of nutrient-void eating patterns and possibly overweight and obesity among students. The authors noted several keys to providing healthy foods in schools, including:

• Making the cafeteria pleasant
  
• Developing nutritional standards for all foods sold in schools
  
• Obtaining an action plan for nutritious food choices among school administrators and parents
  
• Educating school administrators and integrating nutrition education into the curriculum
  
• Additionally, the authors suggest stocking healthier lowfat, nutrient dense foods, such as canned fruits, granola, lowfat milk and yogurt in vending machines, a-la-carte and in school stores.

Kramer-Atwood, J.L. et al. Fostering healthy food consumption in schools: Focusing on the challenges of competitive foods. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2002; 102: 1228-1233.

{Editor’s Note: Citing a looming health crisis among children, First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and more than 30 national organizations recently collaborated on the “Healthy Schools Summit: Taking Action for Children’s Nutrition and Health” to develop state-specific action plans to promote better nutrition and physical activity in the schools. For more information, visit www.actionforhealthykids.org.}

Health Professionals Support Nutrition as a Key to High Blood Pressure Prevention
Health professional support continues to grow for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which helps to prevent high blood pressure and hypertension. In fact, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) recently updated its recommendations for prevention. The new recommendations include adequate intake of potassium and an eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy products (reduced in saturated and total fat)—similar to the DASH diet, which recommends a diet of 8-10 servings of fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of lowfat dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt. The advisory also recommends reducing excess body weight, increasing physical activity and limiting consumption of sodium and alcohol.

Whelton, P.K. et al. Primary prevention of hypertension, Clinical and public health advisory from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 288: 1882-1888.

FAST FACTS

Obesity Rates Continue to Grow Among Americans
The latest findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that obesity has increased among American adults, children and adolescents, especially among Mexican-Americans, non-Hispanic Caucasians and non-Hispanic African-Americans. For example, more than half of non-Hispanic African-American women ages 40 and older are obese and more than 80 percent are overweight. There are several health risks associated with overweight and obesity, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, therefore prevention of obesity may help improve American health in the future.

Flegal, K.M. et al. Prevalance and trends in obesity among U.S. adults, 1999-2000. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 288: 1723-1732.

Freedman, D.S. et al. Trends and correlates of class 3 obesity in the United States from 1990 through 2000. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2002; 288: 1758-1761.

{Editor’s note: In order to help curb the rising rates of obesity, the recent Surgeon General’s report on overweight and obesity recommends engaging in regular physical activity for all children and adults, and calls for schools to provide more food options that are low in fat and calories, such as lowfat or nonfat milk, cheese and yogurt, fruits and vegetables.}

Nutrition: The Easy “Whey”
Whey—once considered a wasted by-product of cheese production—is now viewed as a valuable nutritional component. A recent research review found that the whey portion of milk contains various proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals that may be immune-enhancing and antibacterial. Also, due to their bioactivity, whey proteins may help inhibit cancer, reduce blood pressure and even slow down the aging process.

Walzem, R.L. et al. Whey components: millennia of evolution create functionalities of mammalian nutrition: What we know and what we may be overlooking. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2002; 42: 353-375.

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You can rely on the National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council of (ADA/DC) Nebraska for credible, up-to-date news on dairy nutrition research, public policies on nutritional issues and special dairy nutrition campaigns. Please browse the Nutrition/Health Research tab for more information. If you need addition information or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Director of Nutrition Education Jennifer Meyer at (402) 592-3355 or toll free at (888) NEB-MILK.