Consumption of milk and milk products during growing years helps you achieve a lean body

Published On 2019-05-06 13:47 GMT   |   Update On 2019-05-06 13:47 GMT

CANADA: Milk is a powerhouse packed with essential nutrients and protein. Because of which elders have always stressed on the importance of drinking milk in the growing years of children. Affirming the same, a recent study has demonstrated the benefits of milk and milk products for the growth of children and adolescents.


Results from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, published in the journal Advances in Nutrition has found that children and adolescents aged 6–18 years who consume milk and milk products are more likely to achieve a lean body phenotype.


Previous studies have suggested the role of milk and milk products in the growth of children and adolescents but the results are inconsistent. Kai Kang, School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and colleagues performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the available evidence of RCTs assessing whether milk and milk-product consumption (>12 wks) could affect growth and body composition among children and adolescents aged 6–18 years.


The study included 17 randomized clinical trials consisting of 2844 children and adolescents. Doses of milk and milk products in the studies ranged from 190 to 1000 mL/day for duration varied from 3 to 24 months.


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Key findings of the study include:


  • Milk and milk-product interventions resulted in a greater increase in body weight (0.48 kg; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.76 kg; P  =  0.001), lean mass (0.21 kg; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.41 kg; P  = 0.04), and attenuated gain in percentage body fat (−0.27%; 95% CI: −0.45%, −0.09%; P  = 0.003) compared with control groups.

  • There were no significant changes in fat mass, height, or waist circumference in the intervention groups compared with the control groups.

  • In subgroup analyses, the baseline weight and age, and the duration of intervention were associated with the efficacy of milk and milk-product intake on the change in lean mass, percentage body fat, and waist circumference, respectively.


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"Milk and milk products consist of essential nutrients and high-quality proteins essential for the development of child and adolescent, therefore, children should be encouraged to consume milk and milk products to their diet in sufficient amount to reach healthy intakes," concluded the authors.



Further studies are needed to investigate types of milk products in relation to growth in children,” they added.



For detailed study log on to https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy081



Article Source : With inputs from Advances in Nutrition

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