No low-fat milk Slim by drinking whole milk daily

Experts advise children to give high-fat milk instead of low-fat milk
Does it make any difference to the Body Mass Index (BMI) if children drink high-fat whole milk or low-fat milk? Researchers found that consuming high-fat milk leads to thinner children. This is mainly because these children consume less snacking and less unhealthy snacks.

A team of Canadian scientists found in one study that consuming high-fat milk leads to a healthier BMI in children compared to children who consumed low-fat skimmed milk. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition".

Milk is healthy and tastes good. But with what fat is milk best for children? Experts found that consuming high-fat milk in children causes them to eat less sweets and unhealthy snacks. As a result, such children have a lower BMI. (Photo: Jenny Sturm / fotolia.com)

Consumers of high fat milk eat less sweets and unhealthy snacks
In general, one could assume that consuming milk with a lower fat content leads to a healthier BMI. However, this seems to be a misconception. When children eat fat milk, they eat less sweets and other unhealthy snacks, say the authors.

High-fat milk contains more vitamin D.
In addition, consuming one cup of whole milk a day results in a higher vitamin D level. Because vitamin D is better soluble in milk than in water, the higher fat content in whole milk means that this product also contains more vitamin D, the researchers explain. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with a weakened immune system, emotional ups and downs, depression, anxiety, and weak bones.

Choice of milk can make the difference
If children were drinking whole milk with a fat content of 3.25 percent, they had a body mass index value that was 0.72 units lower than those of skimmed milk users with one or two percent fat Scientist. This effect could make the difference between healthy weight and obesity, adds Professor Jonathon Maguire of St Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

Current health guidelines should be questioned
The current study should not judge why consuming milk with an elevated fat content is associated with a lower body mass index. The findings are more likely to jeopardize current health policies and to find out what kind of milk children drink best, say the Canadian experts. The NHS guidelines recommend that people should consume low-fat milk and dairy products.

High-fat milk saturates the children stronger
Children are leaner when saturated with high-fat milk compared to children who drink the same amount of low-fat milk, the doctors explain. Fat-reduced milk can actually make children eat more calories, explains Prof. Maguire. In addition, children often consume fewer snacks and other unhealthy and high-calorie foods by consuming high-fat milk, researchers suggest.

Health effects of vitamin D deficiency and obesity
When children drink low-fat milk, they do not lose body fat. In addition, they do not benefit from the higher vitamin D levels in whole milk, says Prof. Maguire. These are two negative points for the consumption of low-fat milk. A vitamin D deficiency increases bladder cancer risk according to the medical profession. Excessive body fat is also very unhealthy and can lead to several serious illnesses due to overweight and obesity. In addition, a high BMI, for example, seems to influence the sexual maturity of children. Researchers found in another study: A high BMI triggers early puberty.

Obesity has tripled in the last 30 years
Guidelines in the United States and Canada actually say that children should consume two low-fat milk glasses (one or two percent fat each day). So these countries want to reduce the risk of obesity in children. Unfortunately, obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. In the same period, the consumption of whole milk halved, explains Prof. Maguire.

Physicians analyze data from 2,745 children for the study
For the current study, the physicians examined the data of 2,745 children between the ages of two and six years. Parents were asked about the size and weight of their children. This allowed the body mass index to be calculated. In addition, the experts took blood samples to determine children's vitamin D levels. The results of the study are important because we urgently need an answer to the question of which milk our children should consume, say the authors. (As)