The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69010

Amy Joy Lanou, PhD, Jennifer L. Keller, RD, and Neal D. Barnard, MD. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20016, 202-686-2210 ext. 354, alanou@pcrm.org

This presentation will review the evidence used to support current recommendations for dairy product intake and bone health in children. Because the level of dairy product intake in the U.S. is among the highest in the world and osteoporosis and hip fracture rates are simultaneously high, numerous researchers have called into question the effectiveness of nutrition policies aimed at osteoporosis prevention through dairy consumption. In addition to genetic factors affecting bone health, a variety of lifestyle factors affect bone development and bone health maintenance. Dairy products, while a concentrated source of calcium, may not be the ideal source of this and other nutrients for children. According to the National Institute for Child Health and Development, fluid milk is the number-one source of fat in the diets of children from ages 2 to 19 years in the U.S. and thus contributes to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Gastrointestinal distress due to lactose intolerance, allergies, asthma, otitis media, and constipation have also been shown to be associated with dairy product consumption in children. In light of these concerns, and a thorough review showing that a majority of the experiments addressing the relationship between dietary calcium, milk, or dairy product intake and bone density in children and young adults have yielded no correlation, a reevaluation of public nutrition policy on dairy consumption is recommended, and suggested action steps for improving public health messages for osteoporosis prevention will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the close of this session, participants will be able to:
• 1. Evaluate the research on the relationship between dairy products and bone health in children and adolescents
• 2. List eight nutritional and lifestyle factors that affect calcium balance
• 3. Explain why some families may seek alternatives to cow’s milk for health reasons
• 4. Identify public health nutrition action steps needed to more effectively promote bone health in children and teens

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.