Growing Strong and Healthy with Mister Bone: An Educational Program to Have Strong Bones Later in Life

A Comparison of the Effects of Young-Child Formulas and Cow's Milk on Nutrient Intakes in Polish Children Aged 13-24 Months

Adequately balanced daily food rations that provide the body with sufficient amounts of energy and nutrients, including minerals, are particularly important in early childhood when rapid physical, intellectual and motor development takes place. Cow’s milk (CM) and young-child formulas (YCFs) are introduced to a child’s diet past the first year of age. The main aim of the present study was to perform a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of daily food rations of young children based on the recommendations of the daily food ration model. An attempt was also made to determine whether the type of consumed milk (YCF or CM) adequately meets young children’s energy demands and contributes to the incorporation of different food groups into a balanced and healthy diet for children aged 13–24 months. A total of 714 parents between October 2019 and March 2020 filled out a food frequency questionnaire. In the second stage of the study, the parents participated in a dietary recall and were asked to keep diaries of all meals and foods consumed by children over a period of three days. The mean daily intake of CM/YCF and fermented milks was determined at 360 mL ± 128 mL, and it accounted for 55.4% of the guideline values. Flavored dairy products were consumed more frequently than fermented milks without added sugar or flavoring (94 ± 17 g vs. 56 ± 26 g, p < 0.05). Diets incorporating CM were significantly more abundant in protein than YCF diets (29.3 g vs. 21.9 g; p < 0.01). Liquid intake was somewhat higher in children fed YCFs (1280.8 mL vs. 1120.1; p < 0.05), mainly due to the higher consumption of fruit juice, nectars and sweetened hot beverages (246 ± 35 mL in the YCF group vs. 201 ± 56 mL in the CM group; p < 0.05). Children fed YCF consumed significantly larger amounts of sweetened beverages such as tea sweetened with sugar or honey, sweetened hot chocolate or instant teas (OR = 2.54; Cl: 1.32–3.26; p < 0.001), than children receiving CM. This group was also characterized by higher consumption of sweetened dairy products, mainly cream cheese desserts, fruit yogurt and yogurt with cereal (OR = 1.87; Cl: 1.36–2.54; p < 0.01), as well as a lower daily intake of plain fermented milks (OR = 0.56; Cl: 0.21–0.79; p < 0.001). The daily food intake and the quality of the diets administered to children aged 13–24 months were evaluated and compared with the model food ration. It was found that milk type influenced children’s eating habits and preference for sweet-tasting foods. The study also demonstrated that Polish parents and caregivers only have limited knowledge of nutritional guidelines for toddlers.

Gamification for the Improvement of Diet, Nutritional Habits, and Body Composition in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Currently, one of the main public health problems among children and adolescents is poor adherence to healthy habits, leading to increasingly high rates of obesity and the comorbidities that accompany obesity. Early interventions are necessary, and among them, the use of gamification can be an effective method. The objective was to analyse the effect of game-based interventions (gamification) for improving nutritional habits, knowledge, and changes in body composition. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, and Scopus databases, following the PRISMA recommendations. There was no restriction by year of publication or language. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Twenty-three articles were found. After the intervention, the consumption of fruit and vegetables increased, as well as the knowledge on healthy food groups. The means difference showed a higher nutritional knowledge score in the intervention group 95% CI 0.88 (0.05–1.75). No significant effect of gamification was found for body mass index z-score. Gamification could be an effective method to improve nutritional knowledge about healthier nutritional habits. Promoting the development of effective educational tools to support learning related to nutrition is necessary in order to avoid and prevent chronic diseases.

School-based nutrition interventions can improve bone health in children and adolescents

Objectives

Osteoporosis is a major global health problem, and optimizing bone health during childhood and adolescence with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is a recommendation to prevent the disease. School milk programs may be a viable approach to help children and adolescents increase calcium and vitamin D intakes while improving their bone health.

Methods

A review of the literature was conducted on school milk programs, including examination of details regarding these studies and their participants, and assessments of their effects on bone health in children and adolescents.

Results

Nearly all studies reviewed showed significant increases in the bone health behaviors and outcomes that were measured, such as bone mineral density, milk consumption, and calcium and vitamin D intake.

Conclusions

School milk programs can be effective in improving bone health in children and adolescents, and public health policies should be considered to help support and fund effective programs that promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis in population health.

Cow's Milk Consumption and Health: A Health Professional's Guide

The most recent scientific evidence supports the consumption of cow's milk and dairy products as part of a balanced diet. However, these days, the public and practicing physicans are exposed to a stream of inconsistent (and often misleading) information regarding the relationship between cow's milk intake and health in the lay press and in the media. The purpose of this article, in this context, is to facilitate doctor-patient communication on this topic, providing physicians with a series of structured answers to frequently asked patient questions. The answers range from milk and milk-derived products' nutritional function across the life span, to their relationship with diseases such as osteoporosis and cancer, to lactose intolerance and milk allergy, and have been prepared by a panel of experts from the Italian medical and nutritional scientific community. When consumed according to appropriate national guidelines, milk and its derivatives contribute essential micro- and macronutrients to the diet, especially in infancy and childhood where bone mass growth is in a critical phase. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggests potentially protective effects of milk against overweight, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, while no clear data suggest a significant association between milk intake and cancer. Overall, current scientific literature suggests that an appropriate consumption of milk and its derivatives, according to available nutritional guidelines, may be beneficial across all age groups, with the exception of specific medical conditions such as lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy. Key teaching points: Milk and its derivatives contribute essential micro and macronutrients to the diet, when consumed according to appropriate national guidelines, especially in infancy and childhood where bone mass growth is in a critical phase. Preliminary evidence suggests potentially protective effects of milk against overweight, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease No clear data are available about the association between milk intake and cancer. Current scientific literature suggests that an appropriate consumption of milk and its derivatives may be beneficial at all ages, with the exception of specific medical conditions such as lactose intolerance or milk protein allergy.