New Guidelines Recommend Reduced-Fat Milk For Toddlers

Parmalat 2 percent milkNewly released guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that parents consider using reduced-fat dairy foods, such as reduced-fat (2%) milk, for children as young as one to two years old who may be at higher-than-normal risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) as adults.

Feeding reduced-fat milk to children of this age is recommended for those who are overweight or have a family history of obesity, CVD or dyslipidemia.

The guidelines, which replace the AAP's 1998 policy statement on cholesterol in childhood, are part of a clinical report, "Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood," published in the July issue of AAP's official journal, Pediatrics.

The AAP report reemphasizes that all children older than two years should be following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans -- last updated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture in 2005 -- and increasing physical activity.

advertisement

advertisement

The Dietary Guidelines recommend use of low-fat/fat-free milk and dairy products, as well as lean meats and ample fruits and vegetables. For children at higher risk for CVD, the new AAP guidelines also recommend fasting lipid profile screening between the ages of two and 10.

"It is increasingly clear that cholesterol concentrations can be elevated during childhood and adolescence and that increased concentrations in childhood are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and CVD in adulthood," the AAP report states.

The National Dairy Council (NDC) responded to the new AAP guidelines by stressing that it is "working in partnership with the AAP to educate parents with children of different ages and health circumstances how to choose the milk products best for them." Milk, NDC noted, is not only an important source of calcium, but contains "eight other essential nutrients that help build and maintain strong bones, muscles and teeth."

"Since the overwhelming majority of children do not get the recommended three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products, increasing their consumption to recommended levels is key to improving their overall diet quality," stated Karen Kafer, VP, nutrition affairs/health partnerships for NDC.

Lower-fat/fat-free dairy products may also get an added boost in consumer awareness from another new study published in the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

The study, authored by Mark C. Houston, M.D., reports evidence that increasing dietary intake of potassium to recommended levels may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. It also reports that similar benefits may result from diets high in calcium and magnesium (a minimum of 800 milligrams and 500 milligrams per day, respectively).

Next story loading loading..