More Milk = More Weight

Study of 12 829 US children, aged 9 to 14 years shows the more low fat milk kids drink the higher the incidence of weight gain (measured by BMI).



Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med -- Abstract: Milk, Dairy Fat, Dietary Calcium, and Weight Gain: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents, June 2005, Berkey et al. 159 (6): 543: "Results Children who drank more than 3 servings a day of milk gained more in BMI than those who drank smaller amounts



Quantities of 1% milk (boys) and skim milk (girls) were significantly associated with BMI gain, as was total dietary calcium intake. Multivariate analyses of milk, dairy fat, calcium, and total energy intake suggested that energy was the most important predictor of weight gain. Analyses of year-to-year changes in milk, calcium, dairy fat, and total energy intakes provided generally similar conclusions; an increase in energy intake from the prior year predicted BMI gain in boys (P = .003) and girls (P = .03).



Conclusions Children who drank the most milk gained more weight.