Baseline data from a cross-sectional, longitudinal study on female maturation (funded by the Department of Agriculture) was analyzed to identify the role of dairy and total calcium intake on body weight and fat in adolescents. The participants were 323 girls, ages 9-14 years, enrolled in a health plan in Oahu, Hawaii. Information collected included three-day food diaries (Thursday-Saturday); self-reported physical activity; ethnicity of each biological parent; weight, height (stadiometer), iliac skinfold thickness, and Tanner breast staging assessed at a clinic visit.
The group ethnicity composition was 47% Asian, 43% Caucasian, 7% Pacific Islander and 3% Other (African American, Native American). Caloric intake was 87% of the daily recommended level for active girls, suggesting incomplete documentation. Overall, calcium intake was low, averaging 1.4 dairy servings per day, and carbonated beverage (soda) intake was high (over 2 12-oz.cans per day).
Physical activity, age and calcium intake were negatively associated with skinfold thickness (waist). The effect of dairy calcium on skinfold thickness was stronger for Asian than Caucasian girls. There was no relationship between skinfold thickness and calcium supplement use. Soda consumption was positively associated with body weight.
Increasing dairy and reducing soda in the diet among Asian girls may promote healthy body weight and fat during adolescence.
(Novotny R et al. J Nutr 2004;134:1904-1909.)
Comment: The Milk Processor Education Program (milkdelivers.org) noted that girls who drank an extra 12 ounce can of soda daily were nearly four pounds (1.7 K) heavier. Other research suggests that dairy-source calcium helps the body break down fat. The National Academy of Sciences recommends 1300 mg of calcium (four cups of milk equivalent) daily for teenagers. —J.O.
January 2005 School Health Alert
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