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World Milk Day: NDC calls for more engagement with School Milk Scheme

1st June 2010 is the 10th annual World Milk Day. In Ireland, the National Dairy Council is calling on more schools and parents to engage with the School Milk and Dairy Programme to assist children achieve their recommended intake of milk and dairy.

“We understand that childhood and adolescence is a period of growth and development and sufficient intake of nutrients, for example calcium, is very important to support this phase of development. But it is also a time when dietary and lifestyle habits may be developed, which can impact on dietary practices and health in later years,” according to Dr. Catherine Logan, Nutrition Manager with the National Dairy Council.

Nutritional Inadequacies in Irish Children

A considerable proportion of Irish children aged 5-12 years and Irish teenagers are known to have inadequate intake of certain nutrients such as calcium, vitamins A & D. (Refs 1, 2, 3 & 4). 42% of teenage girls and nearly one fifth (23%) of teenage boys have inadequate calcium intakes. (Ref 3)

Inadequate calcium intake is a particular concern for adolescents and teenagers as this is a critical stage of life in terms of bone development. During the ages of 11-17 years, calcium requirements are higher relative to the adult- and child-hood years. Consider the contrast of a new born infant with around 25g of calcium in its skeleton; growing to an adult skeleton with about 1,200g of calcium. (Ref 5)

Participating in the EU-subsidised School Milk Programme is a cost effective and easy way for parents to help children to combat this nutritional gap, as milk & dairy products are a natural source of calcium and other essential nutrients, namely vitamins B12 and B2 and iodine and protein.

Obesity – A Growing Concern

Also of serious concern are the statistics highlighted in the Irish National Taskforce on Obesity which reports that excess body weight is now the most prevalent childhood disease in Europe – it affects approximately one in six children. (Ref 6) 22% of Irish children between 5-12 years of age, have been found to be either overweight or obese. (Ref 7)

The World Health Organisation has serious concerns over the high consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks by children in many countries. (Ref 8) It has been suggested that sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks may be a contributory factor to the obesity epidemic. (Ref 9)

A survey reported by the The Obesity Taskforce found that 37% of Irish children (ages 10-17) consume fizzy drinks at least once daily. (Ref 6) This is particularly important with research now demonstrating that food and beverage consumption patterns begin to develop early in childhood and can persist over time to influence patterns of intake later in life. (Refs 10,11,12 & 13)

New Research Published – Habits Persist Over Time

Results have recently been published of a longitudinal study completed in the USA over a 10 year period on girls aged from 5 through to when they were 15 years of age. The study assessed the beverages intake (milk, fruit juice, fruit drinks, soda and tea/coffee) during childhood and also looked at the changes in beverage and nutrients intakes among girls who were classified as soda consumers and non-consumers at 5 years.

Among the results, It was found that soda drinkers at age 5 had higher subsequent soda intake and lower milk intake. (Ref 14)

This is supported by a separate US ‘Continuing Survey of Food Intakes’ which found that children who consumed more ‘soda’ consumed less milk and fruit juice and therefore had lower intakes of the nutrients related to milk and fruit juice. (Ref 15)

“Such trends are worrying, because it means that some children may not be getting the nutritional benefits they could get from natural milk and dairy products. A portion of school milk provides a source of calcium, protein, B vitamins (riboflavin, vitamin B12 ), iodine, potassium and phosphorous,” says Dr Catherine Logan, Nutritionist with the National Dairy Council.

“Generally speaking, weight gain and the development of overweight/obesity during childhood, or at any stage in life, are a result of excessive energy intake, combined with sedentary lifestyles. Consuming a healthy balanced diet from a young age and being physically active from a young age are both essential,” says Dr. Logan.

Children & Teenagers Need Encouragement at Home & School

“Children and teenagers need all the encouragement they can get to switch to healthy snacking habits and to get back to the basics of the Food Pyramid with more regularly balanced diets and lifestyle habits,” says Dr Catherine Logan. “They need guidance from parents and teachers about the beverages they consume and also the sizes or portions of the drinks they consume. It is important to make choices available, which include drinks like water and milk.”

“TNS research in Ireland confirms that most people believe milk is a refreshing and nurturing drink (83% and 81%). (Ref 16) So it is not difficult to introduce drinking milk as an alternative to drinks that have no nutritional benefit and taking part in the School Milk Programme is a great way to start this,” says Dr. Logan.

Dietary Recommendations – Calcium & Dairy

Generally adults and children should be consuming a Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of 800mg/d of calcium; with teenagers (11-17 yrs) and women who are pregnant (second half of pregnancy) or breastfeeding (first six months) needing a higher level of 1200 mg/d.

To convert that into practical terms the Department of Health’s Food Pyramid recommends “3 portions of dairy per day”. (Refs 17 & 18) In order to meet the increased requirements associated with the teenage years, pregnancy and breastfeeding, people during these life-stages should aim for “5 servings of dairy per day."

“These daily dietary guidelines are set at levels to help Irish people to achieve the recommended intake of essential nutrients which our bodies need,” says Dr. Logan. This should not be difficult to include in a balanced diet - a serving is a 1/3 of a pint glass of milk; one carton of yoghurt; or 1 oz or 28 g of hard cheese (about the size of a matchbox).

Calcium is available in other non-dairy food sources, but consumers have to know how to assess these both in terms of calcium content and ‘bioavailability,’ which means whether it is in a format that can be easily absorbed by the body.

Although whole milk is advised for toddlers from 1-2 years of age – and whole milk only contains 3.5% fat – older children (from the age of two years and as long as they are consuming a mixed, varied diet and are thriving) and adults can also switch to semi-skimmed or semi-skimmed fortified milk options. Skimmed milk is not advisable under 5 years of age.

“Developing healthy habits and sticking with them is the most effective way to take control of health and weight for your family,” according to Dr Logan.

World Milk Day is organised by the Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) to focus on milk as a global food.

School Milk – Revitalised Brand Appeals to Children & Schools

In September 2009 the NDC launched its new School Milk brand – The Fresh Milk Club offering children in primary schools more vibrant packaging. Since the start of this school year , some 4,840 new schoolchildren have joined the NDC’s Fresh Milk Club. To find out more about School Milk log on to www.thefreshmilkclub.ie or call the NDC for a free information pack on 01- 616 9726.

 

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For more information contact

Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-276 6117 - info@progresspr.ie

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