Frequency Of Milk Consumption Research Articles

Consumption of dairy products of non-bovine origin in southern Brazil

The production chains of non-cow's milk are growing in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify the most consumed types of non-bovine dairy products and their origin (goat, sheep or buffalo), as well as to assess the characteristics of the consumer who purchase such products. The frequency of cow's milk and dairy products consumption was also verified. A survey-type research was carried out through the internet with 636 respondents. The most mentioned dairy product of non-bovine origin is cheese, followed by milk and yoghurt. The most mentioned species is goat, followed by buffalo and sheep. Consumers who are most likely to have already consumed these kinds of products are persons over 45 years of age, whose income is above three minimum wages and with an academic background. Daily consumers of cow's cheese seem to have already consumed dairy products from other species. The results obtained by this study may subsidize market decisions of non-cow's milk production chains.

Milk Consumption and Lactose Intolerance in Adults

Objective To investigate relations between milk consumption and lactose intolerance (LI) in adults and to explore the effect of milk consumption on lactase activity. Methods Total of 182 subjects aged 20–70 years were recruited and interviewed by questionnaires, and their accumulative cow's milk intake (AMI) was calculated. LI was evaluated by hydrogen breath test (HBT). Results A negative correlation was found between AMI and severity of observed LI symptom ( r=–0.2884; P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative correlation between LI and duration and frequency of milk consumption (OR, 0.317 and 0.465, respectively; both P<0.05) and a positive correlation between LI and amount of milk consumed per sitting (OR, 6.337; P<0.05). Conclusion LI is related to various milk consumption behaviors. Most Chinese adults with LI may tolerate moderate milk consumption <160 mL.

O1-5.3 The role of milk and dairy products in childhood obesity: evidence from the Hong Kong's "children of 1997" birth cohort

<h3>Introduction</h3> Observational studies, mainly from western populations, suggest that dairy product consumption is inversely associated with adiposity. However, in such populations, there is a limited range of dairy product intake while dietary intake and obesity share social patterning making evidence from non-western developed settings valuable in distinguishing whether the observed associations are biologically mediated or socially confounded. <h3>Methods</h3> We used multivariable linear regression to examine the adjusted association of the frequency of milk or other dairy product consumption at 11 years with clinically measured body mass index (BMI) z-scores at about 13 years, relative to the 2007 WHO growth reference in a large (n=8327), population-representative Chinese birth cohort, comprising 88% of all births in Hong Kong in April and May 1997. <h3>Results</h3> Of the original 8327 cohort members, 7933 are alive, participating and living in Hong Kong. At approximately 13 years, 7488 had clinically assessed BMI. Socio-economic position was positively associated with frequency of milk and other dairy product consumption. Neither milk nor other dairy product consumption was associated with BMI z-score (milk −0.02, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.03 and dairy products 0.03, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.07), adjusted for sex, mother9s birthplace, highest parental education, pubertal stage, physical activity and other food consumption. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In a non-western setting, milk and other dairy product consumption was not associated with adiposity, suggesting that any observed anti-obesigenic effects in western settings may be due to socially patterned confounding by socio-economic position.

초등학생의 우유 및 유제품 섭취 양상과 소비 성향에 관한 조사

We conducted a study to investigate milk and dairy products consumption among elementary school students to identify ways to increase their intake of milk and dairy products. We asked 518 students in Seoul to fill out questionnaire. Only 55.6% of the subjects consumed milk daily, and 43.7% of them drank at least 1 cup per day. The frequency and quantity of milk consumption were higher in male students than female students. The majority of the subjects consumed whole milk, and most students(59.5%) preferred flavored milk to whole milk. The reasons given for drinking milk included 'wanting to be tall'(66.1%) and 'for good health'(47.1%), while the main reason given for not drinking milk was stomach pain (68.4%). Records of having an unpleasant experience and upset stomach after drinking milk occurred at a higher rate for those who did not drink milk(84.2%) than for those who did(53.3%). Of the students questioned, 36.9% consumed dairy products other than milk 3~4 times per week, and liquid-type yoghurt(43.8%) and ice cream(35.4%) were the preferred dairy products among students. The reasons given for consuming dairy products were 'good taste'(56.6%), 'good to eat'(46.6%), 'wanting to be tall'(32.4%), and 'for good health' (25.4%). Among those students who did not consumed dairy products, the major reason given was 'family does not eat at home'(33.3%). After consuming the dairy products, 71.4% of participants thought that dairy products did not result in physical improvement. Most students had experienced purchasing milk and dairy products by themselves. When they bought milk or dairy products, the reasons given for making a particular selection were 'shelf-life'(61.6%) for milk, and 'favorite dairy products'(54.1%) for dairy products. According to participants, the factors that need to be considered for milk and dairy product consumption among elementary school students are 'higher nutrition' (60.8%), 'better sanitation'(57.3%), and 'better quality and taste'(55.2%).

중학생의 학교 우유 급식 실태 및 만족도 조사

This study was conducted to investigate the consumption of milk, along with satisfaction for improvement of the school milk program in middle school. The subjects were 447 middle school students(265 male, 182 female) in the Gyeonggi area, whowere asked to fill out the questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by a SAS package. The results showed that 53.2% of the subjects were participating in the school milk program. Regarding the frequency of milk consumption, 77.7% of students reported daily milk consumption and 65.3% of students reported they drank milk when it was available. 56.8% of the students responded that they were satisfied with the school milk program. Male students not participating in the school milk program cited the reason as "eating at home", while non-participating female students cited the reason as "tasteless". When asked whether they accepted or rejected the school milk program, male students(97.7%) and female students(97.8%) answered "it should be executed". To improve the school milk program, most of the students(72.2%) stated that "it should be selected among flavored milk(strawberry, banana, chocolate, black bean, and husked rice milk) instead of white milk". Therefore, in order to increase the intake of milk, the students should develop the habit of drinking milk to gain the attention of parents. Also, schools should attempt to help through offering proper dietary education.

Food Consumption Pattern and Calcium Status of Adolescents in Nnewi, Nigeria

This study investigated the food consumption pattern and calcium status of 200 adolescents (12- 19 years) in Nnewi, Anambra State Nigeria. Data were obtained by means of pre-tested standard questionnaire and biochemical analysis of serum to determine calcium status. The result showed that majority of the respondent's parents were traders (35.5%) and secondary school graduates (40.5%). About 67.5% of the subjects consume 3 meals/day and the frequency of milk consumption was very low (17.7%). Consequently, their mean Body Mass Index (BMI) (19.15±3.06) was within the normal range while their serum calcium concentration (7.12±3.54) was lower than the recommended value (8.10-10.40mg). Sex was significantly related (x = 15.22, p = 0.004) to the BMI and intake of milk significantly (p<0.005) affected the 2 level of serum calcium concentration (mg/dl). Moi moi, beans pottage, fried rice and jollof rice were the strongest predictors of serum calcium concentration from food preference. The low serum calcium concentrations were attributed to the fact that the subject's main sources of calcium were cereals and legumes which most times contain anti-nutritional factors. These results points out the need for nutrition education with emphasis on improved method of food preparation and selection.

Milk Intake and Total Dairy Consumption: Associations with Early Menarche in NHANES 1999-2004

BackgroundSeveral components of dairy products have been linked to earlier menarche.Methods/FindingsThis study assessed whether positive associations exist between childhood milk consumption and age at menarche or the likelihood of early menarche (<12 yrs) in a U.S sample. Data derive from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004. Two samples were utilized: 2657 women age 20–49 yrs and 1008 girls age 9–12 yrs. In regression analysis, a weak negative relationship was found between frequency of milk consumption at 5–12 yrs and age at menarche (daily milk intake β = −0.32, P<0.10; “sometimes/variable milk intake” β = −0.38, P<0.06, each compared to intake rarely/never). Cox regression yielded no greater risk of early menarche among those who drank milk “sometimes/varied” or daily vs. never/rarely (HR: 1.20, P<0.42, HR: 1.25, P<0.23, respectively). Among the 9–12 yr olds, Cox regression indicated that neither total dairy kcal, calcium and protein, nor daily milk intake in the past 30 days contributed to early menarche. Girls in the middle tertile of milk intake had a marginally lower risk of early menarche than those in the highest tertile (HR: 0.6, P<0.06). Those in the lowest tertiles of dairy fat intake had a greater risk of early menarche than those in the highest (HR: 1.5, P<0.05, HR: 1.6, P<0.07, lowest and middle tertile, respectively), while those with the lowest calcium intake had a lower risk of early menarche (HR: 0.6, P<0.05) than those in the highest tertile. These relationships remained after adjusting for overweight or overweight and height percentile; both increased the risk of earlier menarche. Blacks were more likely than Whites to reach menarche early (HR: 1.7, P<0.03), but not after controlling for overweight.ConclusionsThere is some evidence that greater milk intake is associated with an increased risk of early menarche, or a lower age at menarche.

Regional price differences and food consumption frequency among elementary school children

Food prices may affect diet and weight gain among youth and lead to geographic disparities in obesity. This paper examines the association between regional prices and consumption frequency of fruit/vegetables and snack items among elementary school children in the USA. Observational study using individual-level survey data of fifth-grade children (average age 11 years) and regional food prices based on store visits in 2004. Dependent variables are self-reported consumption frequency in fifth grade; primary explanatory variables are metropolitan area food prices relative to cost of living. Multivariate regression analysis. Price variation across metropolitan areas exists, and lower real prices for vegetables and fruits predict significantly higher intake frequency. Higher dairy prices predict lower frequency of milk consumption, while higher meat prices predict increased milk consumption. Similar price effects were not found for fast food or soft drink consumption. The geographic variation in food prices across the USA is sufficiently large to affect dietary patterns among youth for fruit, vegetables and milk. The price variation is either too small to affect children's consumption frequency of fast food or soft drinks, or the consumption of these foods is less price sensitive.

Outbreak ofEscherichia coliO157 Associated with Raw Milk, Connecticut, 2008

In Connecticut, despite hazards of raw milk consumption, attempts to ban raw milk sales have been unsuccessful. In July 2008, 2 children experienced Escherichia coli O157-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after consuming raw milk purchased at a retail market and a farm (farm X). We investigated to determine the outbreak source and control measures. Confirmed cases were HUS diagnosis or E. coli O157:NM infections with isolates matching outbreak strains among patients during June to July 2008. Probable cases were diarrheal illness among farm X customers during the same period. We conducted case-control studies to determine the source of E. coli O157 exposure and assess for dose-response relation between illness and frequency of raw milk consumption. Farm X dairy practices were evaluated; stool specimens of humans and animals were cultured for E. coli O157. Staff time and laboratory and medical costs were calculated. We identified 14 cases (7 confirmed). Five (36%) case patients required hospitalization; 3 (21%) experienced HUS. No deaths were reported. Raw milk consumption was associated with illness (P = .008); a dose-response relation was demonstrated (P = .01). Dairy practices reflected industry standards. E. coli O157:NM outbreak strains were isolated from stool specimens of 6 case patients and 1 milking cow. The total estimated outbreak cost was $413,402. Farm X's raw milk was the outbreak source despite no violations of current raw milk regulatory standards. This outbreak resulted in substantial costs and proposed legislation to prohibit nonfarm retail sale, strengthen advisory labels, and increase raw milk testing for pathogens.

Iodine concentration in cow’s milk and its relation with urinary iodine concentrations in the population

The importance of milk intake to the supply of dietary iodine is not fully known. We therefore undertook a study in Spain of the iodine concentration in cow's milk and the impact of the frequency of milk consumption on urinary iodine concentrations in three study populations. We studied the iodine concentration in 362 samples of milk from 45 commercial brands and compared it with the milk iodine status in studies undertaken 17 years earlier. The epidemiologic studies were performed in three different places in the south of Spain: two in school-age children (N=757 and N=1205 children) and one in adults (N=1051). A milk consumption questionnaire was given and urinary iodine concentrations measured. The mean concentration of iodine in the milk rose from 1991 (117±37μg/L) to 2008 (259±58μg/L) (P<0.001). The iodine concentration was greater in skimmed milk (273±52μg/L) than in semi-skimmed milk (254±57μg/L) or whole milk (251±61μg/L) (P<0.0001). The winter samples had a greater concentration of iodine (270±55μg/L) than the summer samples (247±58μg/L) (P<0.0001), independently of the type of milk. The urinary iodine concentrations in all three epidemiologic studies were significantly associated with the frequency of milk intake. The concentration of iodine in cow's milk has risen over recent years, and it is higher in skimmed milk. The results also show that cow's milk is a relevant source of dietary iodine.

Inverse Association between Insulin Resistance and Frequency of Milk Consumption in Low-Income Argentinean School Children

To determine the association between milk consumption, lifestyle, components of the metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance in school children. Students (n = 365 [175M]) age 10 +/- 2.3 years from 2 poor suburbs of Buenos Aires were examined for body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and Tanner stage in April 2007. Fasting concentrations of lipids, insulin, and glucose were determined. Mothers completed questionnaires about their children's lifestyle. Approximately 14.0% of the children were obese, and 12.1% were overweight by use of norms from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half were at Tanner I. Mean values of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, and insulin were higher as subjects consumed more glasses of milk. Multiple regression analysis with insulin resistance as the dependent variable showed that there was a significant and positive association with triglyceridemia (beta = 0.007) and waist circumference (beta = 0.024), and a negative association with milk consumption (beta = -0.135) adjusted for blocks walked daily, TV viewing, soft drink consumption, parental educational level, sex, age, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure (R(2) = 0.27). Increased milk consumption was associated with greater insulin sensitivity, suggesting that it might reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Food consumption in Mexican adolescents

To examine the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic factors and food consumption in Mexican adolescents. A representative sample (n=7218) of Mexican adolescents (12-19 years old) was analyzed. Independent variables included age, gender, and main activity of the adolescents; gender and age of the head of household; socioeconomic position; size of town (rural, semiurban, or urban); and area of residence. The consumption frequency of 13 food groups was assessed. Through multivariate logistic regression models, the effect of independent variables over consumption frequency was evaluated. Among Mexican adolescents only one-third consumed fruits and vegetables daily, a little less than one-half consumed dairy products daily, one-third drank soft drinks daily, and one-fifth consumed sweets and salty snacks. Males reported higher consumption of legumes. Age increase was associated with higher frequency of milk consumption. Adolescents who worked and those who neither studied nor worked consumed fruits, sweets, and salty snacks less frequently. Eating fruits, vegetables, cereals, dairy products, bread, starchy vegetables, red meat, white meat, and fast food decreased with regard to socioeconomic position; on the other hand, the lower socioeconomic strata had more frequent consumption of legumes and soft drinks. There are groups of adolescents who are less likely to consume healthy foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products). Socioeconomic and cultural processes that can explain the differences observed are discussed.

Australian consumers’ preferences for conventional and novel sources of long chain omega-3 fatty acids: A conjoint study

This paper reports on a conjoint study of the influence of product (concept) attributes on Australian consumers’ preferences for conventional and novel (genetically modified, GM) sources of foods rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCO3FA). Text “concepts” representing the potential options for possible (future) products were presented to 220 consumers. Attitudes were elicited that might segment (cluster) consumers, including measures of fear appraisal and coping appraisal towards coronary heart disease (CHD), barriers to consumption of current available LCO3FA foods and perceived risk/benefits of the source of LCO3FA (GM oilseeds and fish). Additionally, frequency of bread, milk and fish consumption, objective CHD risk factors and socio-demographics were also measured. The sample clustered into three groups characterised as (1) “Conservatives” (28%); (2) “Confident protectors” favourable towards GM (51%) and (3) “anti-GM” (20%). Whilst there was general preference for conventional farmed fish fed fishmeal, a large segment reported favourability towards farmed fish fed GM oilseed.

Milk consumption does not affect body mass index but may have an unfavorable effect on serum total cholesterol in Japanese adults

Milk consumption is considered to have favorable effects on obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, studies conducted on Japanese populations are sparse, and a positive association between milk intake and increased level of serum total cholesterol (TC) was reported. We measured body mass index, % of body fat (% BF), blood pressure, and blood constituents of 566 men and 462 women during a medical checkup. Milk consumption, including whole milk, low-fat milk, and yogurt, and nutrient intakes were evaluated by using a brief diet history questionnaire. All participants were classified according to the frequency of milk consumption and by sex. Associations between milk consumption and other variables were examined by using multiple linear regression analysis. No association was observed between milk intake and body weight, % BF, blood pressure, and blood constituents such as glucose, HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triacylglycerols. On the other hand, we observed a significant association with TC in male participants ( β = 0.113, P = .007). Milk consumption seems to have little effect on body mass index, % BF, blood pressure, and blood constituents apart from TC in Japanese. The positive association between milk consumption and TC suggests that low-fat milk and/or yogurt are preferable for individuals who require cholesterol control.

Inverse association between body mass and frequency of milk consumption in children

Recent studies have shown an inverse association between the level of dietary Ca, particularly from dairy sources, and body weight in adults; there is, however, a paucity of data regarding this relationship in children. We therefore investigated this issue in 1087 children who underwent body weight and height measurement during a survey on childhood obesity. Lifestyle and dietary habits were investigated by a questionnaire. After excluding children who were following a dietary regimen for any reason, 884 children (M:F 451:433; age 7.5 (sd 2.1) years) were selected. Milk consumption was pooled into four frequency categories: poor (< or =1/week; n 125), moderate (>1 but < or =5-6/week; n 133), regular (1/d; n 408) and high (> or =2/d; n 218). The frequency of consumption of milk was inversely and significantly associated (t=-2.964, P=0.003) with age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores by linear regression analysis, controlling for sex, age, physical activity, birth weight and parental overweight and education. The statistical association remained significant (t=-2.831, P=0.005) after the inclusion of children consuming only skimmed milk (n 91). Milk consumption was still significantly and inversely associated with BMI z score (t=-2.791, P=0.005) in the whole-milk consumers when controlling for age and the frequency of consumption of various foods; this association was no longer significant (P=0.21) when children consuming skimmed milk were included in the analysis. This is the first report showing a significant inverse association between frequency of milk consumption and body mass in children. Regardless of the mechanisms involved, our results might encourage further research on this issue and might have important implications for the prevention of obesity.

Does milk make children grow? relationships between milk consumption and height in NHANES 1999-2002

In the United States, milk (usually cow's milk) is widely considered an "essential food" to support bone growth among post-weaning age children, as evident in government-sponsored nutrition policies that mandate milk for children. Milk contains calories, protein, and calcium, among other nutrients, and bioactive components such as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), all of which may facilitate bone growth. There is a large literature on milk and/or calcium intake and its effects on bone density, but one aspect of bone mass--height--is not well studied in relation to milk consumption. Limited experimental studies show no consistent relationship across populations. To investigate this linkage among American children, analysis of the NHANES 1999-2002 was undertaken. NHANES data allow two hypotheses to be tested: (1) reported frequency of childhood milk consumption will be positively related to adult height and (2) height of children 5-18 years will be predicted by the reported frequency of milk consumption and/or milk intake from a 24-h dietary recall. Results indicate that adult height was positively associated with milk consumption at ages 5-12 and 13-17, after controlling for sex, education, and ethnicity. Among contemporary children, milk consumption had no effect on the height of 5-11 year olds after controlling for age, birthweight, energy intake, and ethnicity. In contrast, milk consumption frequency and milk intake (measured as grams of milk, or protein or calcium from milk) were significant predictors of the height of 12-18 year olds, along with age, sex, household income, and ethnicity. The greatest ethnic contrasts were between Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites and blacks, and milk variables remained significant predictors of height in these comparisons. Thus NHANES data show substantial variability in the effects of milk consumption on height.

Effects of Economic Status and Education Level on the Height and Weight of Community Adolescents in Nepal

There is scarce information on the relative importance of socio-economic factors in determining the adolescent anthropometric measurements. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of economic status, education level, and food consumption on the height and weight of community adolescents in Nepal. The study was done in the communities of the Kathmandu Valley area in Nepal. All together 426 unmarried adolescent girls aged 14-19 y were selected. The adolescents were interviewed regarding socioeconomic background (education, occupation and property possessions) and frequency of foods consumption. Height and weight were determined and BMI was calculated. Z-scores of height-for-age and weight-for-age were calculated based on the WHO/NCHS standard to avoid bias by age. The adolescents participating in the survey were categorized into three groups using the various indicators of economic status: Low Economic Status (LES) group, Middle Economic Status (MES) group and High Economic Status (HES) group. The Z-scores of height and weight were significantly lower in the LES group than in the MES and HES groups (p<0.05). The Z-score of height was significantly increased with education level even under the condition of controlling economic level (p<0.05). Since the frequency of milk consumption was significantly related not only with height (p<0.05), but also with economic (chi2=31.6, df=4, p<0.001) and education levels (chi2=22.4, df=6, p<0.01), the increased height in the groups of the better economic status or the better education level was interpreted to be due to the outcome of the higher frequency of milk consumption. This study indicated that education was a more important factor affecting the height of the adolescents via improved food habits even under adverse economic conditions.

Frequent consumption of milk, yogurt, cold breakfast cereals, peppers, and cruciferous vegetables and intakes of dietary folate and riboflavin but not vitamins B-12 and B-6 are inversely associated with serum total homocysteine concentrations in the US population

Elevated circulating total homocysteine (tHcy) is an independent risk factor for vascular diseases. We investigated the relation between dietary intakes and serum tHcy in the US population. Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) were used to investigate the associations between food consumption frequency and dietary B vitamin intakes and serum tHcy in 5996 persons. Multivariate-adjusted tHcy concentrations were approximately 15.2% higher in subjects who never consumed milk than in those who consumed milk >30 times/mo, approximately 6.4% higher in subjects who never consumed yogurt than in those who consumed yogurt >15 times/mo, approximately 7.4% higher in subjects who never consumed cold breakfast cereals than in those who consumed cold breakfast cereals >30 times/mo, approximately 6.3% higher in subjects who never consumed peppers (includes red, yellow, green, and hot chili peppers) than in those who consumed peppers >30 times/mo, and approximately 16.5% higher in subjects who never consumed cruciferous vegetables than in those who consumed cruciferous vegetables >30 times/mo. Consumption of citrus fruit and juices, cheese, meats, coffee, or tea had no significant association with tHcy. Folate (beta=-0.0017, P for trend=0.004) and riboflavin (beta=-0.2851, P for trend=0.027), but not vitamin B-6 (beta=0.0505, P for trend=0.70) and cobalamin (beta=-0.0035, P for trend=0.58), were inversely related to serum tHcy after adjustment for confounders. In this population-based study, milk, yogurt, cold breakfast cereals, peppers, and cruciferous vegetables were inversely related to serum tHcy. This association may be explained by increased intakes of folate and riboflavin.

Educational and economic determinants of food intake in Portuguese adults: a cross-sectional survey.

BackgroundUnderstanding the influences of educational and economic variables on food consumption may be useful to explain food behaviour and nutrition policymaking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of educational and economic factors in determining food pattern in Portuguese adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study in a representative sample of Portuguese adults (20977 women and 18663 men). Participants were distributed in four categories according to years of education (≤4, 5–9, 10–12, and >12) and income (≤314 euros, 315–547 euros, 548–815 euros, and >815 euros). Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the magnitude of the association between food groups and education/income, adjusting for confounders.ResultsIn both genders, the odds favouring milk, vegetable soup, vegetables, fruit, and fish consumption, increased significantly with education, for those having >12 years of education compared to those with ≤4 years; the odds favouring wine, and spirits consumption decreased significantly with education, for those having >12 years of education compared to those with ≤4 years. In males, the odds favouring starchy foods and meat consumption decreased significantly with income, while for milk, the odds increased with higher income (those having >815 euros compared to those with ≤314 euros).ConclusionsThe low and high income groups are or tend to be similar in regard to several food groups consumption, and access to education/information appears to be the key element to a better food pattern as indicated by higher frequency of milk, vegetable soup, vegetables, fruit, and fish consumption.

Milk intake during childhood and adolescence, adult bone density, and osteoporotic fractures in US women

Calcium supplements increase bone mass in children, but the effect does not persist once supplementation is discontinued. The objective of this study was to determine whether milk intake during childhood and adolescence, when controlled for current calcium intake, is associated with adult bone mass (ie, bone mineral content), bone mineral density, and the incidence of osteoporotic fracture. We used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 3251 non-Hispanic, white women age >or=20 y. Bone density was measured at the hip. History of fracture of the hip, spine, or forearm was classified as a lifetime fracture (occurring after age 13 y) or an osteoporotic fracture (occurring after age 50 y). Subjects reported frequency of milk consumption during childhood (aged 5-12 y) and during adolescence (aged 13-17 y). Regression models controlled for weight, height, age, menopause and use of estrogen, physical activity, smoking, and current calcium intake. Among women aged 20-49 y, bone mineral content was 5.6% lower in those who consumed <1 serving of milk/wk (low intake) than in those who consumed >1 serving/d (high intake) during childhood (P < 0.01). Low milk intake during adolescence was associated with a 3% reduction in hip bone mineral content and bone mineral density (P < 0.02). Among women aged >or=50 y, there was a nonlinear association between milk intake during childhood and adolescence and hip bone mineral content and bone mineral density (P < 0.04). Low milk intake during childhood was associated with a 2-fold greater risk of fracture (P < 0.05). Women with low milk intake during childhood and adolescence have less bone mass in adulthood and greater risk of fracture.