Low-fat dairy products will not protect against obesity
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
It's no secret that one of the most common diseases of the US population is obesity. Specialists and common people try to fight a dangerous disease by limiting too high-calorie and unhealthy products. For example, in recent years in many US states it has become customary to feed young children with low-fat dairy products so that in future children can avoid obesity and high cholesterol. Recent research by American scientists has shown that milk and other dairy products with a low fat content can not prevent obesity and do not contribute to weight loss in any way.
For half a year, pediatricians from the University of Virginia (USA) were engaged in research on low-fat dairy products and their impact on the health and weight of young children. The research consisted of six months of interviewing 11,000 families with small children. The key questions in the questionnaires were: what kind of milk did parents prefer to give their children at the age of 2 and at the age of 4, normal fat content, fat-free, soy? In addition to the survey, specialists conducted annual weigh-in of children.
After analyzing the data received from parents of children and the annual weight indicators, pediatricians were able to draw conclusions about the effect of milk on the weight of children. It turned out that children who regularly consumed low-fat milk (0.5-1.5% fat content) were more likely to be obese. Among the two-year-old children, who were fed low-fat milk, about 14% fell ill with obesity, more than 16% of children among the four-year-olds. For comparison, among the children-two-year-olds, who were fed regular, fatty milk (cow or goat), only 9% of children noticed preconditions for obesity, and only 12% among children-four-year-olds. Scientists have concluded that skim milk can not only not protect against obesity and the emergence of excess weight, but also to provoke it.
Children who consumed low-fat dairy products are 57% more likely to be obese than those who eat unprocessed foods. Executives explain the results obtained by the fact that fatty milk can provide the baby with satiety for a while, and he will not feel hungry. Skim milk does not have enough nutrients and can only quench your thirst, as a result of which the child consumes more food.
A glass of fatty milk can replace a small child snack, and for 1-2 hours he will not feel hungry. A child who drinks a fat-free product will still remain hungry and will need other food. It turns out that, despite the fat content of the product, its use has a positive effect on health and prevents the emergence of excess weight.
Experts advise giving children ordinary, fatty dairy products, since children under five years of age need a lot of energy and natural products containing vitamins and nutrients. In addition, pediatricians advise to exclude from the diet of children fast food, sweet soda water, ice cream and desserts with preservatives. In their opinion, it is these restrictions that can protect children from obesity. Also, doctors do not advise you to use milk powder, both low-fat and fatty. In dry milk, the integrity of nutrients is impaired, and it is not able to provide the child with the necessary minerals and vitamins.
[