Study finds milk doesn't speed weight loss

June 8, 2005 in Nutrition Topics in the News, Weight Management

Study finds milk doesn't speed weight loss

Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston have found that children and teenagers who drink the most milk tend to gain the most weight. However, these children also tend to consume more overall calories.

These findings are among many recent conflicting reports on the relationship between dairy products and weight. Some study findings have reported that the consumption of dairy products may help promote weight loss while others have reported that it leads to weight gain.

Previous to these findings, a very recent study found that women who consumed the most dairy - equivalent to up to four glasses of milk a day, over the course of one year were no more likely to gain or lose weight than those who consumed the equivalent of no more than one glass of milk each day. These most recent findings were based on a long-term study of nearly 13,000 children between the ages of 9 and 14. Children who had more than three servings of milk every day gained more weight than those who drank fewer daily servings of milk.

As a result, researchers recommend that children not drink milk as a means of losing weight or trying to control weight. Children who consumer more milk than is recommended for their age may gain extra pounds as a result, especially if their activity levels are low.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.