Kids’ diets win when flavored dairy products replace sodas and fruit drinks 
-- New study finds flavored milks and yogurts are building blocks for better nutrition

Okemos, Mi., January 23, 2004 – An analysis of the diets of more than 3,000 children published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health shows a positive effect on children’s diets when kids choose flavored milks and yogurts instead of soft drinks and sweetened drinks.

            The study showed that children ages 6-17 who consumed more than 6-8 ounces of flavored dairy products, such as milks, yogurts, ice creams and puddings, each day had a better diet than those who regularly drank soft drinks and sweetened fruit drinks.  Those consuming more flavored dairy got more than two servings of dairy foods and took in more calcium, folate and iron, fewer added sugars and less saturated fat overall than children who drank more than 16-25 ounces of soft drinks and sweetened fruit drinks every day. The analysis also showed that only children ages 6-11 who did not consume soft drinks and sweetened drinks got the recommended amount of calcium each day.

            “When sodas and fruit drinks replace dairy foods in the diet, it’s hard for children to get the key nutrients they need for growth and development,” says Dr. Rachel Johnson, professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, and one of the study’s authors. “Our analysis shows that flavored dairy products like milks and yogurts are a great addition to a child’s diet because they are packed with important nutrients and have fewer added sugars than the soft drinks they are replacing.”

            This study coincides with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) newest policy statement which recommends that health professionals work to restrict the sale of sweetened drinks in schools in order to help prevent some of the health problems associated with too many soft drinks and sweetened beverages.¹  The AAP recommends replacing sweetened drinks with  real fruit and vegetable juices, water and lowfat white or flavored milk. The policy also notes that as sweetened drink consumption rises, milk consumption declines and milk is the primary source of calcium in the diets of children and adolescents.

            Calcium is especially important for adolescents. Because almost 45 percent of skeletal mass is formed between the ages of nine and 18, health professionals recommend at least 1,300 mg of calcium every day for this age group; the equivalent of four servings of milk, cheese or yogurt. 

Healthy Choices for Life

            “Parents and educators can help kids learn to make healthy eating choices now, which will lead to healthier lifestyles as adults,” says Karen Giles-Smith, registered dietitian, Dairy Council of Michigan. “Encouraging your kids to eat three to four servings of dairy is easier than you think, especially with new on-the-go packaging and kid-friendly flavors like vanilla, banana, and cookies’n cream making their way into the marketplace.”

            Giles-Smith recommends the following tips to boost dairy and calcium intake in kids:

· Convenience counts: Single-serve, re-sealable plastic bottles are great for today’s busy lifestyles.

· Serve it cold: Results from a 2002 School Milk Pilot Test showed that kids were more likely to choose regular and flavored milks if the milks were served at colder temperatures and in plastic packaging.²

· Look for the logo: Milk, cheese and yogurt products with the 3-A-Day of Dairy logo are guaranteed to contain at least 20 percent of the daily calcium requirement. 

            For more information on the nutritional benefits of dairy foods, visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org.  In addition, parents and educators can get fun recipes and tips on how to get 3-A-Day of Dairy at www.3aday.org.

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Sources:
Frary CD, RK Johnson and MQ Wang. Children and Adolescents’ Choices of Foods and Beverages High in Added Sugars are Associated with Intakes of Key Nutrients and Food Groups.  Journal of Adolescent Health.
2004; 34:56-63. 

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Soft Drinks in Schools. Pediatrics. 2004; 113(1):152-154.  

Roper, ASW (2002). School Milk Pilot Study: Sales Test, September 2001 - June 2002, Dairy Management Inc. and American School Food Service Association. Unpublished.  

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United Dairy Industry of Michigan is a local affiliate of Dairy Management, Inc.  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.  

Editor's Note:

For more information about the study or to schedule an interview, contact Karen Giles-Smith, registered dietitian, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, 517-349-8480 x227.

 The National Dairy Council Hotline is staffed by a registered dietitian between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays: 312-240-2880.

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