Kids Don't Get Enough Calcium from Milk

Children in the U.S. aren't getting enough calcium from milk, but they are getting too much fat from a variety of dairy products, according to new research from Penn State.

Researchers Sibylle Kranz, Po-Ju Lin and David A. Wagstaff found that only 2- to 3-year-old American children are meeting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) My Pyramid recommendations for dairy and calcium intake. Daily milk and calcium consumption dropped among 4- to 8-year-olds, stayed about the same for 9- to 13-year-olds and fell again 14- to 18-year-olds, the researchers found.

Depending on the agency setting recommendations, 1- to 3-year-olds should have at least two cups of dairy intake per day, 4- to 8-year-olds should consume at least two to three cups per day and 9- to 18-year-olds should take in at least three to four cups per day.

Kranz, who is an assistant professor of nutritional sciences, and her team also found that children in all age groups tend to choose cheese, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products with the highest levels of fat. Young children eat the most whole-fat dairy products -- between 43 and 51 percent of their dairy intake, compared to only 5 to 11 percent from non-fat products -- while older children's dairy consumption included about 35 to 36 percent whole-fat and 11 to 13 percent non-fat choices.

"Although the recommendations are all for low-fat dairy, people are still consuming great amounts of whole-fat dairy products," Kranz said. "A glass of fat-free milk has 80 calories, while whole milk has 150 calories. That is a difference per glass of 70 calories or 210 to 280 calories a day for individuals consuming three to four servings of dairy."

Kranz noted that high consumption of whole-fat dairy products can also contribute to childhood obesity, a growing problem. For example, one ounce of whole-fat mozzarella cheese has 50 more calories than an ounce of fat-free mozzarella.

"While children are not meeting the diary or calcium requirements, it is not a good idea to try to meet them by eating premium ice creams or other high-fat products," Kranz said.

When it comes to ensuring that children get the necessary amounts of calcium, dairy products are still preferred over other foods that are calcium-fortified, she added. To achieve the optimal benefits for the body, she said, calcium should be consumed with vitamin D and some protein.

"There is a strong correlation between dairy consumption and calcium," Kranz said. "While there is calcium in fortified orange juice, for example, it is not as bioavailable as that found in milk."

Penn State, "Kids Still Not Drinking Enough Milk." URL: (http://live.psu.edu/story/26340)