Weighing the Benefits of Consuming Milk; How Milk Affects the Development of Kids

milk Otoniel Santiago American Academy of Pediatrics Journal of Dairy Science cow's milk Benefits of consuming milk

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Jul 28, 08:02 am

Several plant-based milks do not match dairy's essential nutrients; thus, parents need to understand their options in choosing suitable milk for their children.

Otoniel Santiago, a clinical dietitian with Get Up & Go by Children's Health, stated that milk is an essential part of a child's diet due to its nutrient content to help develop healthy bones, regulate blood pressure, and maintain a healthy weight.

Many children have lower levels of vitamin D, a nutrient that the body creates naturally from sun exposure. Children with low levels of vitamin D, especially during the younger years, can be exposed to a condition called rickets or the softening of the bones and poor growth. Cow's milk is one of the best solutions to replenish this vitamin as it plays a vital role in keeping a child healthy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggested that children under age five should avoid plant-based milk. Except if a child has dietary restrictions, cow's milk is recommended for children ages 12 months and older to help supply their body with protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients.

Plant-based milk means non-dairy milk options, which can be made from various plants, nuts, or seeds. Usually, plant-based milk includes soy, almond, oat, coconut, pea, and rice milk, per Children's Health.

Children are drinking less milk than ever before

One recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science indicated that childhood milk consumption has declined for decades. According to some health experts, the data is concerning because milk provides various health benefits for kids' growing bodies.

Study authors wrote that sufficient consumption of milk and dairy products, especially during childhood, is beneficial for growth and development and lessens the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, and cancer during adulthood.

According to the study, the total consumption of all milk types in U.S. schools declined by 14.2 percent from 2008 to 2017, and so is the percentage of kids participating in the school lunch programs. Hence, with millennial parents more worried about health and wellness than a recent generation of parents, the cause of the decline has confounded health experts.

Children's diets in the U.S. have steadily worsened over the years. One study determined that from 1989 to 2008, calories from sugary beverages increased by 60 percent in children ages 6 to 11, from 130 to 209 calories per day, and the percentage of kids consuming them rose from 79 percent to 91 percent, per Very Well Family.

How consumption of milk affects children's development

Although milk is beneficial, excessive consumption can have harmful effects, especially on children.

A December 2014 Study in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that preschoolers who drink three or more servings of milk a day are likelier to be taller but at the same time are obese and overweight. Whole or full-fat milk has high levels of saturated fat, which has always been tied to health problems. Some studies suggest low-fat and skim milk may not be the answer, as people feel less full after drinking it. The calorie-laden beverage could also promote obesity, per Live Science.