Three Daily Servings of Reduced-Fat Milk: An Evidence-Based Recommendation?
Abstract
In light of research linking sugar-sweetened beverage consumption to obesity, the US Department of Agriculture, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other organizations have formulated recommendations on healthy beverages. These guidelines consistently recommend limiting consumption of all calorie-containing liquids, except reduced-fat milk, of which people in most age groups are encouraged to consume 3 cups daily. This article questions the scientific rationale for promoting reduced-fat milk consumption at these levels in children and adults and reconsiders the role of cow’s milk in human nutrition.
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More than half of US children are expected to be of Hispanic, Black or Asian descent by 2019.
“With more than half of US children expected to be of Hispanic, Black or Asian decent by 2019 (68) , populations at increased risk for lactose malabsorption and intolerance (69)(70)(71) , offering non-dairy milks may increase acceptability.”
From ‘It's just so much waste.’ A qualitative investigation of food waste in a universal free School Breakfast Program (2015) · cites this paper as [68]
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- Authors
- Ludwig, D. S., & Willett, W. C.
- Affiliations
- Boston Children's Hospital (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- Venue
- JAMA Pediatrics
- Publisher
- American Medical Association (AMA)
- Published
- 2013-09-01
- Volume
- 167
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 788
- ISSN
- 1072-4710 (ISSN-L)
- 2168-6203
- OpenAlex
- W2171098109
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 5.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (K24DK082730)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- reduced-fat milk, sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity prevention, cow's milk, dairy consumption, children, dietary recommendations, energy intake
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Diet, Dietary Fats, Health Promotion, Humans, Milk, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Nutrition Policy, Evidence-Based Practice
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