Children who drink whole fat milk are 40% less likely to be overweight

Children who drink whole fat milk are 40% less likely to be overweight ‘but reduced-fat varieties including semi-skimmed have NO effect’

  • Canadian researchers reviewed more than two dozen studies on cow’s milk
  • The results, published in a medical journal, involved data from 21,000 children
  • None of the studies showed drinking reduced-fat milk cut the risk of being fat

Children who drink whole fat milk tend to be slimmer than youngsters who have the semi-skimmed variety, a study suggests.

Canadian researchers reviewed more than two dozen studies that delved into the effect of cow’s milk consumption on childhood obesity.

Children who regularly drank whole milk were up to 40 per cent less likely to be overweight than other milk-drinkers.

But results also showed that youngsters who consumed reduced-fat milk, such as semi-skimmed, were no less likely to be fat.

Canadian researchers reviewed more than two dozen studies that delved into the effect of cow’s milk consumption on childhood obesity

Scientists at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto led the review, which analysed 28 studies from seven different countries.

The results, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, involved data from 21,000 children between the ages of one and 18.

None of the studies analysed showed children who drank reduced-fat milk had a lower risk of being overweight or obese.

Eighteen of them suggested youngsters who consume whole milk were less likely to be fat. The other ten studies reported no link at all.

One of the trials showed children who drank whole milk had a BMI that was 0.72 units lower than that of semi-skimmed drinkers.

CAN CHILDREN DRINK WHOLE FAT MILK? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children switch from whole-fat milk (3.25 per cent) to reduced-fat (0.1 to 2 per cent) at two years old.

NHS guidelines are similar – but also say the fat in milk provides calories for young children and also contains essential vitamins.

Skimmed milk is when the cream of full-fat milk has been removed. Semi-skimmed means half of the cream has been taken out. 

Full-fat dairy is higher in saturated fat, which is thought to raise cholesterol, in turn furring up the arteries and leading to heart disease. 

Others revealed youngsters were up to 40 per cent less likely to be overweight or obese, said lead author Dr Jonathon Maguire.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children switch from whole-fat milk (3.25 per cent) to reduced-fat (0.1 to 2 per cent) at two years old.

NHS guidelines are similar – but also say the fat in milk provides calories for young children and also contains essential vitamins.

Dr Maguire said: ‘The majority of children in Canada and the US consume cow’s milk on a daily basis and it is a major contributor of dietary fat for many children.

‘In our review, children following the current recommendation of switching to reduced-fat milk at age two were not leaner than those consuming whole milk.

‘All of the studies we examined were observational studies, meaning that we cannot be sure if whole milk caused the lower risk of overweight or obesity.’

However, it is thought that children given whole milk were leaner because they felt fuller than those who drank the same amount of low-fat milk.

They were therefore less likely to snack on other foods that are less healthy or higher in calories, such as biscuits and chips which can lead to obesity.

One in three children are now overweight in Britain and the US, with rates having tripled in the past four decades.

In the same time, figures show production of whole milk has dropped by 80 per cent amid a rise in demand for healthier reduced-fat alternatives.

Full-fat dairy is higher in saturated fat, which is thought to raise cholesterol, in turn furring up the arteries and leading to heart disease.

The fats have been demonised since the 1970s but some evidence also suggests they can have health benefits. 

WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS

Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS

• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count

• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain

• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on

• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options

• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)

• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts

• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day

• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day

Source: NHS Eatwell Guide 



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