Childhood dairy intake critical to teenage bone health

New research has confirmed what mothers have told us for decades – kids who drink their milk grow up with strong bones.

A long-term study from Boston University showed that children who consume dairy foods are more likely to enjoy better bone health as adolescents.¹

The study, running for 12 years, examined 106 children, aged 3 to 5 years. Food diaries were kept by the families, and the children’s average daily intake of dairy and other foods was measured.

Bone health of the now-adolescent participants found that those who had consumed 2 or more servings of dairy foods per day as children had higher levels of bone mineral content and bone density.

The average bone mineral content was 6% higher than adolescents who had consumed less than two dairy servings a day, even after allowing for factors that affect normal bone development, such as the child’s growth, body size, and activity level.

The study highlights the important role dairy plays in childhood. Lead author Professor Lynn Moore said "dairy is a key source of proteins, calcium and other micronutrients including phosphorus".

However, Dr Moore stresses that dairy intake is also important throughout all life stages, particularly adolescence. As children moved into adolescence, dairy intake declined, particularly among girls.

"The adolescent years are times of rapid growth and are crucial for maximising peak bone strength, so it is especially important for both boys and girls to maintain high levels of dairy intake during this period," said Moore.

The recently released 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey showed a similar story in Australia. The results indicate a substantial decline in intake of milk products and dishes as children age, particularly for adolescent girls.²

"In fact, 82–89% of Australian girls 12–16 did not consume enough dairy foods to meet the dietary guidelines" said Dairy Australia dietitian Glenys Kerrins.

"Parents can promote healthy bone development during adolescence by making dairy a regular part of their child’s diet," said Kerrins.

Children often mimic their parents’ eating habits and research shows that mothers who eat at least 3 serves of dairy products each day are much more likely to have children who are also high dairy consumers.³

References:

1.  Lynn L. Moore, DSc, MPH, M. Loring Bradlee, MS, Di Gao, AS, Martha R. Singer, MPH, RD  (2008) Effects of Average Childhood Dairy Intake on Adolescent Bone Health. The Journal of Pediatrics.
2.  2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Organisation (CSIRO), Preventative Health National Research Flagship, and the University of South Australia (available at www.health.gov.au/ nutritionmonitoring).
3.  Research: ‘Dairy Usage & Attitude Study’ conducted by Roy Morgan Research in May 2007 across 5 major capital cities Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth.

(Source: Dairy Australia: October 2008)