Influence of Dairy Product Consumption on Children's Blood Pressure: Results from the QUALITY Cohort

Abstract

Identifying dietary factors associated with blood pressure in children and adolescents could help guide recommendations for prevention of elevated blood pressure. Our objective was to examine the association between blood pressure and dairy product consumption during preadolescence in a cross-sectional study. Baseline data from 610 children aged 8 to 10 years from the Québec Adipose and Lifestyle Investigation in Youth cohort was used for this analysis. Blood pressure was measured using a standard protocol. Children's average dairy intake was assessed from three nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls, and was divided into tertiles. Linear regression models adjusted for age; sex; height; physical activity level; sugar-sweetened beverages, total energy, calcium, sodium, and saturated fat intake; parental history of hypertension; parental education; weight status; and intake of fruits and vegetables. In our fully adjusted model, high dairy intake (≥2 servings of dairy per day) was associated with 1.74 mm Hg lower systolic blood pressure (P<0.05) and with 0.87 mm Hg lower diastolic blood pressure (P=0.10) compared with low intake. We found no significant association of calcium, magnesium, or potassium intake on children's blood pressure, suggesting the role of other antihypertensive components in dairy products. Our results indicate that high intake of dairy (≥2 servings per day) has antihypertensive effects on blood pressure among youth.