Increasing the calcium content of adolescent diets

Abstract

One of the Year 2000 Health Objectives is to increase calcium consumption among youths. Previous data collected in this county with 508 adolescents in 18 local high schools indicated that one-third of these students consumed no milk in a 24 hour period. The aim of this project was to test a milk based beverage in a high school cafeteria, and determine which milk products students would like offered in their school cafeteria. A small grant was received from the Dairy Council of Wisconsin and cooperation was obtained with a local high school to distribute free samples of an “iced coffee” beverage. The beverage was prepared using 2% milk, decaffeinated instant coffee and sugar. Four ounce samples were given out to all interested students and the students were requested to fill out a short survey. Overall, the samples were extremely well received. Of the 133 responses (67 female, 48 male and 18 unidentified), 78.5% rated the product good or very good. On the survey, females indicated that they preferred the “iced coffee” beverage to be prepared with skim milk. Males preferred 2% milk over skim milk. Both sexes preferred sugar over artificial sweetener. Eight other milk products were ranked by students completing the survey. The number one choice students wanted available at school was hot cocoa. Females requested frozen yogurt as their second choice and males requested milkshakes and sundaes. This project and survey information was shared with local high school food service directors throughout DuPage County.