Drinking whole milk appears to be associated with reduced likelihood of obesity in children, according to a new meta-analysis of observational studies published online December 18 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The researchers included 14 of the studies, with 20,897 combined participants, in their meta-analysis. The aim of study was to evaluate the relation between cow-milk fat consumption and adiposity in children aged 1–18 y. Current nutritional recommendations advise that children under age 2 years consume reduced-fat milk, ranging from 0.1% to 2%, instead of whole milk (3.25% fat) to reduce obesity risk. The results of a meta-analysis revealed the odds of being overweight or having obesity to be 39% lower in children who drank whole milk, compared with those who drank reduced fat milk (odds ratio [OR], 0.61; P < .0001).
Source: 1. Am J Clin Nutr. Published online December 18, 2019.
