Association between dairy product intake and abdominal obesity in Azorean adolescents

Nutrition-Related Knowledge and Nutrition-Related Practice among Polish Adolescents-A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to examine the association between nutrition-related knowledge (NRK) and nutrition-related practice (NRP) among 1440 Polish students (aged 10-18 years) and identify the determining factors. Questions about NRK and NRP were thematically similar and referred to the recommendations of the Polish Pyramid of Healthy Nutrition and Lifestyle for Children and Adolescents (4-18 years). A cross-sectional study was conducted using the CAWI method. The respondents obtained an average of 51% of points in the NRK examination and 32% of points in the NRP examination. It was shown that NRP was positively associated with NRK (p < 0.001). The students' NRK was positively determined by the following factors: being female (p < 0.001), older age of students (p < 0.001), living in a larger town (p = 0.012) and a higher level of education of the mother/legal guardian (p < 0.001). NRP was positively associated with greater physical activity of the students (p < 0.001). NRK and NRP were negatively associated with the subjects' BMI (p = 0.029; p = 0.040, respectively). The analysis of NRK shows that the students' knowledge regarding the consumption of milk, milk products and fish should be increased (17-20% correct answers). The analysis of NRP reveals that only 4-14% of students declared appropriate eating habits regarding the consumption of sweet and salty snacks, fish, wholegrain products and milk. This study highlights the need for targeted educational strategies to increase both the understanding and application of dietary guidelines among Polish adolescents for the prevention of diet-related diseases.

The Role of Milk on Children's Weight Status: An Epidemiological Study among Preadolescents in Greece

Milk consumption contributes greatly to children's diet, playing a pivotal role in the development and structure of bones and the functioning of the musculoskeletal system and the heart. This study investigated the association between the type of milk and childhood overweight/obesity. In the school period 2014-2016, 1728 students aged 10-12 years and their parents participated. The measurement and classification of their weight status were performed through the criteria of the International Obesity Task Force. Among others, the type of milk consumption was recorded. Four categories of the type of milk children consumed were classified (white milk, chocolate milk, both types of milk, and no milk at all). Children consuming only white milk were 33.1% less likely to be overweight/obese in comparison with children who were not consuming milk at all [OR (95% CI): 0.669 (0.516, 0.867), p = 0.002]. The consumption of chocolate milk showed a protective role against childhood overweight/obesity although its association was not consistently significant. This study highlights the significant contribution of milk (and particularly of white milk) consumption to weight management, and thus its promotion should be consistently encouraged. More studies are needed to shed light on the effects of different dairy foods on weight status in childhood.

High dietary calcium intake and low adiposity: findings from a longitudinal study in Brazilian adolescents

Epidemiological studies have supported the hypothesis that dietary calcium intake is protective for adiposity. This study aimed to estimate the association of dietary calcium with adiposity indicators during adolescence. This is a cohort study with high school adolescents (n = 962) from selected schools of the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which were followed from 2010 to 2012. Calcium intake was assessed by a validated self-reported food frequency questionnaire. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of dietary calcium intake were performed regarding body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (%BF), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI). The analysis of variance was used for cross-sectional analysis with baseline data and linear mixed models applied to assess changes across the follow-up. At baseline, BMI, %BF, fat mass, and FMI (p for trend < 0.05) had lower means at the highest quintile of calcium intake whereas FFM and FFMI had higher means (p for trend < 0.05), especially for boys. During follow-up, boys had decreased FMI at the 4th and 5th quintiles of calcium intake (p < 0.05); among girls, only WC was significantly lower at the 4th quintile than in the 1st. These results support the hypothesis that low calcium intake increases adiposity among adolescents.

Is High Milk Intake Good for Children's Health? A National Population-Based Observational Cohort Study

Milk is widely considered as a beneficial product for growing children. This study was designed to describe the milk consumption status of Korean children aged 30–36 months and to investigate its association with the risk of obesity and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This nationwide administrative study used data from the Korean national health insurance system and child health screening examinations for children born in 2008 and 2009. In total, 425,583 children were included, and they were divided into three groups based on daily milk consumption: low milk group (do not drink or drink <200 mL milk per day, n = 139,659), reference group (drink 200–499 mL milk per day, n = 255,670), and high milk group (drink ≥500 mL milk per day, n = 30,254). After adjusting variable confounding factors, the consumption of a large amount of milk of ≥500 mL per day at the age of 30–36 months was associated with an increased risk of obesity at the age of 42–72 months and IDA after the age of 30 months. These results may provide partial evidence for dietary guidelines for milk consumption in children that are conducive to health.

Association between dietary diversity score and anthropometric indices among children and adolescents: the weight disorders survey in the CASPIAN-IV study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the association between the dietary diversity score (DDS) and anthropometric indices in a nationally representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents.

METHODS

The nationwide cross-sectional study included 5178 students aged 6-18 years. A validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used. The DDS was assessed by dividing food items into five groups.

RESULTS

An increase of 1 in the total DDS score was associated with 0.08 increase in the body mass index z-score (BMIz), 0.06 increase in waist circumference z-score (WCz), and 0.07 increase in hip circumference z-score (HCz) (P < 0.05) in girls. An increase of 1 in the DDS score of the dairy group was associated with an 0.11 increases in BMIz (P < 0.05). An increase of 1 in the DDS score of the fruit-vegetable group was associated with 0.09 and 0.08 increase in BMIz and HCz among girls respectively (P < 0.05). The odds of excess weight (overweight or obesity) and abdominal obesity increased with each unit increase in total DDS in girls (odds ratio, OR _{excess weight}  = 1.11 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.003-1.23), OR _{abdominal obesity}  = 1.11 (95% CI: 1.001-1.23)). The odds of excess weight increased with each unit increase in dairy DDS (OR _{excess weight}  = 1.20 (95% CI: 1.002-1.43) among boys.

CONCLUSION

Higher DDS was associated with higher anthropometric indices and greater risk of obesity among children and adolescents. Our findings emphasize the importance of increasing the diversity of healthy food items to reduce weight disorders in the pediatric age group. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Relationship Between Dairy Consumption and Abdominal Obesity

OBJECTIVE

This cross-sectional study aimed to demonstrate the relationship between dairy consumption and abdominal obesity in adolescents.

METHOD

In total, 700 adolescents participated in this cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic characteristics, consumption of dairy, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist/height (W/H) ratio were evaluated. The participants were divided into two groups as to whether their dairy consumptions were below or above 3 portions/d, according to the Turkey Dietary Guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 15.84 ± 1.23 years. The rate of girls (65.2%) who participated in this study was significantly higher than that of the boys (34.8%; p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the participants whose dairy consumption was below and above the specified limits in terms of BMI, WC, or W/H measurements. Energy intake (p < 0.05) and milk and cheese consumption (p < 0.001) were higher in boys than in girls. There was a significant negative correlation between dairy consumption and WC (r = -0.121), W/H ratio (r = -0.105), and BMI (r = -0.103) in girls (p < 0.05). It was found that a 1-unit increase in milk consumption can cause a 1.98-, 0.11-, and 0.552-fold decrease in WC, W/H ratio, and BMI in girls, respectively (p < 0.05; 95% confidence interval [-3.502, -0.471], [-0.020, -0.001], [-1.042, -0.062], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Inadequate milk consumption was related to increasing WC and WC may be one of the factors of abdominal obesity in girls. Therefore, it is of importance to raise awareness about milk and dairy consumption in adolescents.

Associations of dairy intake with risk of incident metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

AIMS

This cohort study examined the association of total and individual dairy products with the risk of incident MetS and its components in children and adolescents.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed 531 participants aged 6-18 years without the MetS at baseline during an average 6.6-year follow-up period. Dairy consumption was estimated with a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The MetS was defined according to the Cook criteria. The multivariable regression model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for incident MetS associated with the consumption of dairy products.

RESULTS

The incidence of MetS was 9.8% after an average 6.6-year follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, OR (95% confidence interval) for incident MetS was 0.48 (0.23-1.00) for total dairy, 0.44 (0.21-0.92) for low-fat dairy, 0.46 (0.22-0.98) for low-fat milk, and 0.45 (0.21-0.97) for low-fat yogurt when comparing participants in the highest versus lowest tertile. A moderate intake of regular cheese was associated with decreased risk of MetS (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19-0.97). Replacing one serving/day of total dairy with nuts was associated with a lower (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42-0.95), whereas replacement by red and processed meat was associated with higher (OR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.21-1.97) MetS risk. No significant association was found between high-fat dairy and MetS risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher consumption of dairy products, particularly low-fat milk and yogurt, was associated with reduced risk of incident MetS, suggesting the capability of low-fat dairy products in the primary prevention of MetS in children and adolescents.

Dietary factors associated with being overweight and obese among school-going adolescents in Region One, The Gambia

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary factors associated with being overweight and obese among school-going adolescents in Region One, The Gambia.

METHOD

This was a school-based cross-sectional study and 1008 students from eight Senior Secondary Schools in Region one of The Gambia participated in it. Data were collected through questionnaire self-administered method, and weight and height measurements. Using the age and gender-specific cutoff points proposed by World Health Organization, body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the weight and height measures. The data were analyzed using frequencies for underweight, overweight, and obesity, and the association between dietary factors and weight status of participants was determined using the Chi-square test.

FINDINGS

Out of the 1008 students recruited in the study, 981 of them completed and returned the questionnaires, resulting in a total response rate of 97%. The mean age of the participants was 17.3 years (SD = 1.9) and 385 of them (39.2%) were from grade 10. There were 627 (63.9%) females. The mean BMI for all the students was 20.0 ± 3.4 kg/m2. Most of the students (n = 672; 68.5 %) had normal body weight, but 226 (23%), 76 (7.7 %) and 7 (0.7%) of them were underweight, overweight and obese respectively. There was a significantly higher number of female students who were overweight (n = 64, 10.2%) than their male counterparts (χ2 = 72.336, p < 0.001). The frequency of drinking sugar added juices and full cream milk, eating fish, shrimps, oysters, lobsters, and snacks such as cakes and biscuits were significantly associated with overweight and obesity among the participants (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the problem of under-nutrition and over-nutrition co-existed among the students which were associated with poor eating habits.

Dissatisfaction with Body Weight among Polish Adolescents Is Related to Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors

The aims of the study were to determine the socio-demographic factors that may affect body weight dissatisfaction and to analyze the relationship between eating habits and dissatisfaction with body weight among a national random sample of Polish adolescents aged 13–19 years. Data on gender, age, level of education, body weight status, screen time, body weight satisfaction and selected nutritional behaviors were collected using a questionnaire. Body mass status was assessed based on weight and height measurements. A total of 14,044 students from 207 schools participated in the study. A significant effect of gender, age, level of education, body weight status and screen time status on the participants’ dissatisfaction with the body weight was observed. The greater prevalence of body weight satisfaction was observed among boys, younger subjects, secondary school students, adolescents with normal body weight status and those with screen time up to 2 h. Whereas girls, older study participants (17–19 years old), overweight/obese adolescents and subjects with screen time over 4 h were more often dissatisfied with body weight. Furthermore, it has been shown that participants dissatisfied with their body weight less often met dietary recommendations. These findings can help dietitians, nutritionists and healthcare professionals to provide age-specific and gender-specific nutrition strategies to promote healthy lifestyle among school-going adolescents.

Intake of Animal Source Foods in Relation to Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent disorder associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle and occupation can increase the risk of developing MetS. Since dietary pattern is a major component of lifestyle, this study aimed to determine the relationship between consumption of animal source foods (ASFs) and MetS among food suppliers. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 112 male food suppliers. We measured anthropometric indices, body composition, and blood pressure of the participants. Blood biochemistry was determined using 5 mL fasting blood samples. MetS was defined based on the guidelines described by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). ASF intake, including dairy products, eggs, red meat, poultry, and fish, was assessed using food frequency questionnaires. Overall, 46.4% of participants had MetS. Participants who consumed dairy 3∼5 times/d and more than 5 times/d had lower risk of MetS [odds ratios (OR): 0.18 (confidence interval (CI) 95%: 0.05∼0.62) and OR: 0.20 (CI 95%: 0.06∼0.67), respectively] compared with participants in the lowest tertile. The risk of hypertension was significantly decreased in participants who consumed dairy products >5 times/d [OR: 0.22 (CI 95%: 0.07∼0.67)]. Other ASFs were not associated against the risk of MetS in crude and adjusted models. Our findings indicated that adhering to dairy products can decrease the risk of MetS. Higher adherence to dairy products was also protective against hypertension in these participants.

Association between milk intake and childhood growth: results from a nationwide cross-sectional survey

PURPOSE

The literature is inconsistent regarding milk intake and physical growth. This study aims to evaluate the association of milk intake with body height and weight in a nationally representative sample of Chinese children.

METHODS

A total of 41,439 children ages 6-17 were recruited from 30 provinces in mainland China in 2013-2016 using a multistage stratified cluster sampling approach. Milk intake information was collected using a questionnaire aided with standard containers. Weight and height were measured using a standard physician beam scale with a height rod. Milk intake was categorized into no-, low-, and high-intake groups based on the intake rate, and weight status into normal, overweight, and obese groups based on the body-mass-index (BMI). Associations between height/weight status and milk intake were evaluated using multivariate weighted linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Chinese children had low milk intake: 1/5 of children did not drink milk, and those drinking milk had a median intake of 100 ml/month. The low- and high-intake groups were 0.83 cm (95% confidence interval: 0.00, 1.68 cm) and 1.26 cm (0.34, 2.19 cm) taller than the no-intake group for girls, respectively, after adjusting for confounding factors. Boys with high milk intake had lower BMI (-0.56, 95% CI: -1.00, -0.12 kg/m²) and risk of obesity (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.97) than those without milk intake.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the association of increased milk intake with increased body height and lowered obesity risk among Chinese children. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study and the possibility of residual confounding, further research is warranted to uncover the role of milk intake in promoting children's growth.

Nutritional Management in Childhood Obesity

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents poses a major concern worldwide. Dietary practice in these critical periods affects physical and cognitive development and has consequences in later life. Therefore, acquiring healthy eating behaviors that will endure is important for children and adolescents. Nutrition management has been applied to numerous childhood obesity intervention studies. Diverse forms of nutrition education and counseling, key messages, a Mediterranean-style hypocaloric diet, and nutritional food selection have been implemented as dietary interventions. The modification of dietary risk in terms of nutrients, foods, dietary patterns, and dietary behaviors has been applied to changing problematic dietary factors. However, it is not easy to identify the effectiveness of nutritional management because of the complex and interacting components of any multicomponent approach to intervention in childhood obesity. In this review, we describe the modifiable dietary risk factors and nutritional components of previous nutrition intervention studies for nutritional management in childhood obesity. Furthermore, we suggest evidence-based practice in nutrition care for obese children and adolescents by considering obesity-related individual and environmental dietary risk factors.

Nutritional Behaviors of Polish Adolescents: Results of the Wise Nutrition-Healthy Generation Project

BACKGROUND

Recognition of the dominant dietary behaviors with respect to gender and specific age groups can be helpful in the development of targeted and effective nutritional education. The purpose of the study was to analyze the prevalence of the selected eating behaviors (favorable: Consuming breakfasts, fruit, vegetables, milk and milk beverages, whole grain bread and fish; adverse: Regular consumption of sweets, sugared soft drinks and fast-foods) among Polish adolescents.

METHODS

Data on the nutritional behaviors were collected using a questionnaire. Body mass status was assessed based on weight and height measurements.

RESULTS

14,044 students aged 13-19 years old from 207 schools participated in the study. Significant differences were found in the nutritional behaviors depending on age, gender and nutritional status. Favorable nutritional behaviors corresponded with each other, the same relationship was observed for adverse behaviors. The frequency of the majority of healthy eating behaviors decreased with age, whereas the incidence of adverse dietary behaviors increased with age. Underweight adolescents more often consumed sugared soft drinks, sweets and fast food compared to their peers with normal and excessive body mass.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of adolescents showed unhealthy nutritional behaviors. Showing changes in the incidence of nutritional behaviors depending on age, gender and body weight status, we provide data that can inform the development of dietary interventions tailored to promote specific food groups among adolescents on different stages of development to improve their diet quality.

A role for whey-derived lactoferrin and immunoglobulins in the attenuation of obesity-related inflammation and disease

Obesity is a strong predictive factor in the development of chronic disease and has now superseded undernutrition as a major public health issue. Chronic inflammation is one mechanism thought to link excess body weight with disease. Increasingly, the gut and its extensive population of commensal microflora are recognized as playing an important role in the development of obesity-related chronic inflammation. Obesity and a high fat diet are associated with altered commensal microbial communities and increased intestinal permeability which contributes to systemic inflammation as a result of the translocation of lipopolysaccharide into the circulation and metabolic endotoxemia. Various milk proteins are showing promise in the prevention and treatment of obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation via reductions in visceral fat, neutralization of bacteria at the mucosa and reduced intestinal permeability. In this review, we focus on evidence supporting the potential antiobesogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of bovine whey-derived lactoferrin and immunoglobulins.

Association of dairy products consumption with risk of obesity in children and adults: a meta-analysis of mainly cross-sectional studies

PURPOSE

The association of dairy products consumption with risk of obesity remains controversial. Therefore, we reviewed and quantitatively synthesized the evidence from observational studies with a meta-analysis.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in relevant databases. Random-effects model was used to pool odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline model.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies for total dairy products and 16 studies for milk with risk of obesity were eligible. The pooled odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of obesity for the highest versus lowest category of total dairy products consumption were 0.54 (0.38-0.77) in children, 0.75 (0.69-0.81) in adults, and 0.74 (0.68-0.80) for both. Evidence of a nonlinear relationship was found (P_{for nonlinearity} = .009). Milk consumption was also associated with risk of obesity [0.81 (0.75-0.88)] both in children [0.87 (0.80-0.95)] and in adults [0.77 (0.68-0.87)], and a linear relationship (P_{for nonlinearity} = .598) suggested that risk of obesity decreased by 16% [0.84 (0.77-0.92)] for every 200 g/d increment of milk consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis indicates that dairy products consumption may be associated with a decreased risk of obesity. This association may be of public health significance.

Associations between Consumption of Dairy Foods and Anthropometric Indicators of Health in Adolescents

Childhood obesity is associated with a greater chance of a lifetime of obesity. Evidence suggests dairy at recommended levels could be beneficial in maintaining normal weight and body composition. We assessed whether dairy consumption is associated with anthropometric indicators of health (z-scores for weight-for-age (WAZ); height-for-age (HAZ) and body mass index (BMIZ); waist-to-height ratio (WHtR); fat-free mass (FFM); and fat mass (FM)) in adolescents. In a cross-sectional study, 536 males and females ages 12–18 completed a 151-item semi-quantitative web-based food frequency questionnaire that included 34 dairy-containing foods. Dairy foods were categorized into milk, cheese, sweetened dairy, and total dairy. Anthropometrics were measured during school visits. Total dairy intake was associated with WAZ (β = 0.25 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.49), p = 0.045) and HAZ (β = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.52), p = 0.021). In boys, total dairy was associated with WHtR (β = 0.02 (95% CI: 0.00, 0.04), p = 0.039), FFM (β = 4.83 (95% CI: 1.79, 7.87), p = 0.002), and FM (β = 3.89 (95% CI: 0.58, 7.21), p = 0.021), and cheese was associated with FFM (β = 4.22 (95% CI: 0.98, 7.47), p = 0.011). Dairy consumption seems to influence growth in both genders, and body composition and central obesity in boys. Prospective studies are needed to identify how types of dairy relate to growth, body composition, and central obesity of adolescents.

Dairy products, yogurt consumption, and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents

The high prevalence of obesity in children is a global health issue. Obesity in children and adolescents can result in hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation, and hyperinsulinemia, increasing the risk of death, as children grow into adulthood, and raising public health concerns. Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Dairy consumption may have a protective effect against the development of CVD, but there is scarce evidence of this in children and adolescents. Within the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between dairy consumption and CVD risk factors in a sample of adolescents (aged 12.5-17.5 years) from 8 European cities. Overall, dairy products emerged as the food group that best identified adolescents at low CVD risk. Higher consumption of milk and yogurt and of milk- and yogurt-based beverages was associated with lower body fat, lower risk for CVD, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness.

The Association of Dairy Intake With Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Adolescents: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of dairy product plays an important role in prevention and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to examine the association of dairy intake with MetS and its components in Tehranian adolescents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 785 adolescent aged 10 to 19 years, participated from the fourth phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Usual dietary intake was assessed using a valid semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Total dairy, low fat and high fat dairy, milk, yoghurt and cheese were evaluated. Assessment of anthropometric, biochemical and blood pressure was performed and MetS was defined according to the de Ferranti criteria.

RESULTS

The mean age of subjects was 14.8 ± 2.9 years. The prevalence of MetS was 22.2% (girls: 19.5% and boys: 25.2%). The most prevalent risk factor for MetS in boys was high waist circumference (53.4%) and among girls was low HDL-C (53.1%). Energy density and intake of protein, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, calcium and phosphor were higher in the highest quartile of dairy consumption than the lowest quartile. After adjustments for confounders, odds ratios with 95% confidence interval for MetS in the highest quartile of total dairy, low fat dairy, high fat dairy, milk, yoghurt and cheese compared with lowest quartile were respectively 0.97 (0.57 - 1.66), 1.44 (0.83 - 2.49), 0.97 (0.56 - 1.67), 0.70 (0.42 - 1.18), 1.62 (0.99 - 2.64) and 0.72 (0.44 - 1.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study did not support the hypothesis that dairy products consumption protects against MetS and its components.

Milk consumption during pregnancy increases birth weight, a risk factor for the development of diseases of civilization

Antenatal dietary lifestyle intervention and nutrition during pregnancy and early postnatal life are important for appropriate lifelong metabolic programming. Epidemiological evidence underlines the crucial role of increased birth weight as a risk factor for the development of chronic diseases of civilization such as obesity, diabetes and cancer. Obstetricians and general practitioners usually recommend milk consumption during pregnancy as a nutrient enriched in valuable proteins and calcium for bone growth. However, milk is not just a simple nutrient, but has been recognized to function as an endocrine signaling system promoting anabolism and postnatal growth by activating the nutrient-sensitive kinase mTORC1. Moreover, pasteurized cow’s milk transfers biologically active exosomal microRNAs into the systemic circulation of the milk consumer apparently affecting more than 11 000 human genes including the mTORC1-signaling pathway. This review provides literature evidence and evidence derived from translational research that milk consumption during pregnancy increases gestational, placental, fetal and birth weight. Increased birth weight is a risk factor for the development of diseases of civilization thus involving key disciplines of medicine. With regard to the presented evidence we suggest that dietary recommendations promoting milk consumption during pregnancy have to be re-evaluated.

Is dairy consumption associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in European adolescents? Results from the HELENA Study

OBJECTIVE

To identify those food groups best discriminating individuals at high/low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and to investigate the relationship between dairy consumption and CVD risk factors (individual and scores) in adolescents (12.5-17.5 years) from eight European cities participating in the cross-sectional (2006-2007) HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) project.

METHODS

Diet, waist circumference, skin-folds thickness, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were assessed in 511 (49.9% boys) adolescents. Individual z-scores of CVD risk factors were summed to compute sex-specific clustered CVD risk scores.

RESULTS

Dairy emerged as the food group best discriminating adolescents at low/high CVD risk. In both genders, waist circumference and sum of skin-folds were inversely associated with consumption of milk and yogurt, and milk- and yogurt-based beverages, whereas a positive association was observed with CRF. Moreover, CVD risk score (β = -0.230, P = 0.001) was also inversely associated with overall dairy consumption only in girls.

DISCUSSION

Dairy consumption is associated with lower adiposity and higher CRF in these adolescents. An inverse association between CVD risk score and dairy consumption is also depicted in girls. The study adds further evidence to the scarce literature on the influence of milk and dairy products on adolescents' cardiovascular health.

Dairy consumption and pre-school, school-age and adolescent obesity in developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Childhood obesity, the primary health problem affecting children in developed countries, has been attributed in part to changes in dietary patterns. Secular trends suggest a decrease in childhood dairy consumption coinciding with the rise in obesity prevalence. The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to consider evidence of associations between dairy intake and adiposity in pre-schoolers, school-age children and adolescents in developed countries. Of 36 studies included in the systematic review, sufficient data for effect size estimation and inclusion in the meta-analysis were obtained from 22 studies. No significant association was found between dairy intake and adiposity in the aggregated data, although statistical heterogeneity was high (I(2) = 0.72). Among adolescents, however, dairy intake was inversely associated with adiposity (effect size -0.26, [-0.38, -0.14], P < 0.0001). Effect size was not predicted by exposure variable (milk vs. dairy), study design, statistical methods, outcome variables or sex. Interpretation of results was complicated by variability in study methods and insufficient adjustment for relevant confounders, particularly dietary reporting accuracy, sweetened beverage intake and pubertal development. Despite limitations, available data suggest a neutral effect of dairy intake on adiposity during early and middle childhood and a modestly protective effect in adolescence.

Yogurt consumption and impact on health: focus on children and cardiometabolic risk

An accumulating body of epidemiologic data, clinical trials, and mechanistic studies suggests that yogurt consumption as part of a healthy diet may be beneficial to cardiometabolic health. This brief review focuses on children and adolescents, introducing new concepts underlying the effect of yogurt consumption on body weight maintenance and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Specific properties of yogurt are discussed, which highlight that yogurt is an easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense, and satiating food that contains high-quality protein and specific amino acids. Moreover, the role of yogurt as a modulator of the gut microbiota in infancy is explored. We also propose the idea that the specific matrix of yogurt has bioavailability and metabolic properties that can be exploited to increase the functionality of this dairy product.

Milk, dairy products, and their functional effects in humans: a narrative review of recent evidence

Milk is a widely consumed beverage that is essential to the diet of several millions of people worldwide because it provides important macro- and micronutrients. Milk is recognized as being useful during childhood and adolescence because of its composition; however, its relatively high saturated fat proportion raises issues of potential detrimental effects, namely on the cardiovascular system. This review evaluates the most recent literature on dairy and human health, framed within epidemiologic, experimental, and biochemical evidence. As an example, the effects of milk (notably skimmed milk) on body weight appear to be well documented, and the conclusions of the vast majority of published studies indicate that dairy consumption does not increase cardiovascular risk or the incidence of some cancers. Even though the available evidence is not conclusive, some studies suggest that milk and its derivatives might actually be beneficial to some population segments. Although future studies will help elucidate the role of milk and dairy products in human health, their use within a balanced diet should be considered in the absence of clear contraindications.

Relationship of milk intake and physical activity to abdominal obesity among adolescents

What is already known about this subject Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO). Studies have found an inverse relationship between milk intake or milk products and body weight and/or body fat in children and adolescents. Evidence suggests that low levels of PA are associated with AO in youth. What this study adds Our study explored the combined association of milk intake and PA on AO in adolescents, which are most often studied in isolation. Our findings suggested that adolescents with high milk intakes, regardless of whether they were active or low active, were less likely to have AO. Our findings could have a great epidemiological interest and bring important evidence in the field of AO management among adolescents.

BACKGROUND

Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO), which is strongly associated with chronic diseases. Some studies have reported an inverse association between milk consumption and AO.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between milk intake, PA and AO in adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1209 adolescents, aged 15-18 from the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal in 2008. AO was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile. Adolescent food intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and milk intake was categorized as 'low milk intake' (<2 servings per day) or 'high milk intake' (≥2 servings per day). PA was assessed via a self-report questionnaire, and participants were divided into active (>10 points) and low-active groups (≤10 points) on the basis of their reported PA. They were then divided into four smaller groups, according to milk intake and PA: (i) low milk intake/low active; (ii) low milk intake/active; (iii) high milk intake/low active and (iv) high milk intake/active. The association between milk intake, PA and AO was evaluated using logistic regression analysis, and the results were adjusted for demographic, body mass index, pubertal stage and dietary confounders.

RESULTS

In this study, the majority of adolescents consumed semi-skimmed or skimmed milk (92.3%). The group of adolescents with high level of milk intake and active had a lower proportion of AO than did other groups (low milk intake/low active: 34.2%; low milk intake/active: 26.9%; high milk intake/low active: 25.7%; high milk intake/active: 21.9%, P = 0.008). After adjusting for confounders, low-active and active adolescents with high levels of milk intake were less likely to have AO, compared with low-active adolescents with low milk intake (high milk intake/low active, odds ratio [OR] = 0.412, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.201-0.845; high milk intake/active adolescents, OR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.235-0.845).

CONCLUSION

High milk intake seems to have a protective effect on AO, regardless of PA level.