The consumption of milk products in a group of pre-school children: Influence on serum lipid profile

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2000-06, Vol.20 (6), p.779-790
• Main Authors: Ortega, Rosa M., Requejo, Ana M., Navia, Beatriz, Quintas, M.Elena, Andrés, Pedro, López-Sobaler, M., Perea, Jose M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood lipid levels; Calcium; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Milk products; Pre-school children; Riboflavin; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/S0271-5317(00)00175-5

The aim of the present study was to investigate milk product consumption in a group of 105 children of ages between 2–5 years, and to analyse the differences in food, energy and nutrient intake and serum lipid profiles between those who took less than one ration of milk products per day (excluding milk) (L) and those who consumed greater amounts (H). Whole milk was the product consumed in greatest quantity (338.7 ± 152.9 g/day in L subjects and 290.7 ± 107.4 g/day in H subjects). No significant differences were found in the consumption of this product between L and H subjects. The second most consumed milk product was whole yoghurt (50.2 ± 31.8 g/day in L subjects and 124.4 ± 55.8 in H subjects), followed by “petit” type cheese (2.4 ± 5.9 g/day in L and 10.3 ± 16.2 in H subjects), and finally other kinds of cheese (4.8 ± 5.9 g/day in L and 11.1 ± 13.3 in H subjects). H subjects consumed significantly greater amounts of these products. H subjects took more carbohydrates (as g/day and % of energy), riboflavin, zinc and calcium and lesser quantities of total fats (as % of energy) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (as % of energy) than did L subjects. The results show that, while milk intake was the same, children with greater intakes of other milk products showed lower serum cholesterol levels and higher favourable nutrient intakes than those who took less. In pre-school children, the restriction of these types of foodstuffs, through fear of their cholesterol content, might lead to nutritional problems and even impair the prevention of cardiovascular disease.