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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316740
Title: The nutritional role of flavored and white milk in the diets of children

Author
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LSU Agcenter
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Journal of School Health
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2012
Publication Date: 10/15/2013
Citation: Nicklas, T.A., O'Neil, C.E., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2013. The nutritional role of flavored and white milk in the diets of children. Journal of School Health. 83:728-733.

Interpretive Summary: It has been recognized that milk provides shortfall nutrients to the diets of children. Some schools are removing flavored milk from lunchrooms based on the perception that consumption has a negative impact on the overall dietary quality. The goal of this study was to assess the contribution of flavored and white milk in the diets of children. Consumption of milk has an important nutritional role in the diets of children. Although the two types of milk contributed to the intake of saturated fatty acids and added sugars, the consumption of these milk types contributed to a higher percentage to 5 of the shortfall nutrients or nutrients of concern in the diets of children. More research is needed to understand the barriers to consuming milk and potential unintended nutrition consequences of removing flavored milk from the lunchrooms.

Technical Abstract: Some schools are removing flavored milk from lunchrooms based on the perception that consumption has a negative impact on the overall dietary quality. The goal of this study was to assess the contribution of flavored and white milk in the diets of children. Intake data from children 2 to 18 years participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006 were obtained from in-person 24-hour dietary recalls. Mean +/- standard error of energy and nutrients were determined. Flavored and white milk contributed to total energy consumed, saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. The percent contribution of white milk to intakes of vitamin A (21%), vitamin D (54%), calcium (29%), potassium (17%), magnesium (12%), and phosphorus (19%) exceeded 10% of total intake. Consumption of flavored milk contributed a smaller percentage to total intake. For total dairy consumed the percent contribution to intake of vitamins A and D, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus ranged from 19% to 68%. Milk has an important nutritional role in the diets of children. More research is needed to understand the barriers to consuming milk and potential unintended nutrition consequences of removing flavored milk from the lunchrooms.