Whole milk or low-fat milk is better for the health of young children?

In a recent study, a research team wanted to find out whether whole milk or low-fat milk is better for children. The study results suggest that current recommendations for low-fat dairy products for young children over the age of two may not be correct. The study authors randomly assigned 49 healthy children to take their place for three monthsnormal milk intakegiven both dairy products. To do this, the researchers delivered the whole milk or low-fat milk to your home free of charge every 14 days in neutral packaging. So they wanted to make sure that the purchase price didn't matter.

Would whole milk or low-fat milk be a healthier choice for children?

Neither group knew whether they were consuming full-fat or low-fat dairy products, while any leftover products were weighed every 14 days to assess the children's overall intake. For the first time, researchers comprehensively measured the children's obesity, body composition, blood pressure and blood biomarkers. Accordingly, they wanted to monitor the effects of milk consumption in this way. Regardless of whether the subjects consumed full-fat or low-fat dairy products, calorie intake was the same in the two groups of participants. Although the children consumed fewer calories and fat from dairy products, they naturally turned to other foods and drinks. This could make up the difference.

So the research results showed no significant differences between the groups' obesity or cardiovascular health. Nutrition experts previously thought that young children would benefit from low-fat dairy products because of the lower saturated fat content. This, in turn, should help minimize obesity and the risk of associated heart disease, according to the study authors. However, the new findings suggest that healthy children can safely consume full-fat dairy products without concerns for weight gain or adverse effects. Taking into account the resultsthis studyand previous research, future revisions of the dietary guidelines should consider recommending that children ages two and older consume either full-fat or reduced-fat dairy products, which would also make choice easier for parents.