Research: Nutrition Explorations

Research

New Study Links Dairy Foods to Leaner Kids

A new study released in the 2008 Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that adolescents who consumed closer to the recommended three servings of dairy per day had lower body mass index (BMI) and less body fat than adolescents with lower daily dairy consumption. Read more.

Cereal for Breakfast is Associated with Better Nutrition and Increased Physical Activity in Girls

According to a recent study published in Nutrition Research, positive health benefits were associated with girls who ate cereal at breakfast. Benefits included increased milk consumption, and higher nutrient intake. Get more details.

New Study Shows Calcium Significantly Improves Children's Bone Health

A recent study found higher intakes of calcium, may significantly improve bone health in children. For children who have inadequate calcium intake, increasing dietary calcium has a significant impact on bone development. Find out more.

Dairy Intake During Childhood May Improve Bone Health During Adolescence

Information gathered from preschoolers who were followed for 12 years showed those consuming 2 or more servings of dairy a day as children had higher bone density than those who consumed less. Get more details.

New Study Shows That Children Benefit from Drinking Flavored Milk

A new study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that children who drink flavored or plain milk consume more nutrients and have a lower or comparable body mass index (BMI - a measure of body fatness) than non-milk drinkers. Find out more.

Study Shows No Negative Financial Impact from Limiting Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

A new study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and published in the November, 2008 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, shows high school students' intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) does not decrease as a result of school bans. However, as a result of the bans, the data indicated that there was no negative financial impact of eliminating SSBs or diet sodas and that there was increased availability of flavored and plain milk. Get more details.

AAP Doubles Recommended Intake of Vitamin D Among Infants, Children and Adolescents

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new report doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D for infants, children and adolescents for the prevention of rickets and additional health benefits. Find out more.

More Frequent Breakfast Consumption Protects Adolescents from Overweight

Researchers studied more than 2,500 adolescents from ethnically and socio-economically diverse backgrounds and found that eating breakfast was protective of overweight. Read more...

American Academy of Pediatrics Report Recommends Dairy for Strong Bones

The 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics calcium report recommends 3 servings of dairy a day for children's bone health. Read more...

Reports

New Resources Available on Dairy's Role in Child Nutrition

A new white paper provides a summary of the child nutrition environment and the most current research and insights on dairy's role in child nutrition. And, a recent report by ENVIRON shows that now more than ever, students are choosing low-fat or fat-free milk at school. Get more details.

The Lowdown on Lactose Intolerance

Most children with lactose intolerance can still drink milk, and in fact need the calcium and other nutrients in milk just as much as other children. Find out all about lactose intolerance in the Cow's Milk Allergy Versus Lactose Intolerance Dairy Council Digest and learn how the National Medical Association recommends that African Americans consume 3 to 4 servings of low-fat dairy per day and the American Academy of Pediatrics states that "many children with lactose intolerance can drink small amounts of milk without discomfort, especially when accompanied by other foods..."

Milk's Nutrient Profile Serves as Standard for New USDA Substitute Beverage Regulations

On September 12, 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued new regulations on beverages that can be substituted for milk in the National School Meal Programs for children unable to consume cow's milk due to medical or special dietary reasons. Read more .

First Ever Physical Activity Guidelines Release by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released its first-ever Physical Activity Guide for Americans. Find out what is recommended for children and adolescents and be sure students fuel up with the Food Groups to Encourage for the energy to stay active.

New AAP Report on Oral Health in Children

A new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Preventative Oral Health for Pediatricians recommends that children consume only water or milk between meals, rather than other beverages to help decrease the risk of cavities and ensure the best oral health. Read the complete Policy Statement.

Building Strong Bones: Starting In the Early Years

This Dairy Council Digest is an excellent summary of recommendations and the research regarding the prevention of osteoporosis, stressing how important it is to take steps in childhood and adolescence.

New FRAC School Breakfast Report Card Shows 4% Increase in School Breakfast Participation by Low-income Children

According to the Food Research and Action Center's (FRAC) new report a record 8.5 million low-income children are receiving free and reduced-price breakfasts (2007-08 school year) and represents a growth of 4%. In addition to reducing childhood hunger and improving nutrition, school breakfast improves health, boosts student achievement and behavior and reduces obesity. With this growth, nationally, the School Breakfast Program reaches a daily average of 45.9 low-income children for every 100 reached by the National School Lunch Program. If every state had met an attainable goal of serving breakfast to 60 low-income children for every 100 eating lunch, 2.5 million more needy children would have been served and states would have collected an additional $561 million in federal child nutrition funding. Click here for more information on the FRAC School Breakfast Report. To find out how you can start an Expanding Breakfast Program, click here.

Corn Refiners Association: Questions & Answers About High Fructose Corn Syrup

As with most everything we eat, people can enjoy sweeteners, including high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), when consumed in moderation. When it comes to flavored milk, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee agree that the added sugar in flavored milk does not negate milk's many health benefits. Specifically in regard to HFCS, there is very little difference between sucrose, which is granulated sugar, and HFCS. Once absorbed, they are indistinguishable to the human body. Find out more about HFCS from the Corn Refiners Association Questions & Answers About High Fructose Corn Syrup .

AAP Policy Statement Advocates Restriction of Soft Drinks in Schools

Read about the American Academy of Pediatrics' stand on the need to restrict sweetened drinks in schools and their recommendation to replace these drinks with real fruit or vegetable juices, water and lowfat white or flavored milk. Click here.