Dairy product consumption is inversely associated with obesity in epidemiological studies, and clinical trials report weight loss occurring with increased dairy consumption. The weight loss effects of calcium have also been investigated and may explain some or all of the effects of dairy. The exact mechanisms by which calcium or dairy induce weight loss or inhibit weight gain are not known, but evidence suggests that both gastrointestinal and metabolic changes are involved. The evidence that dairy products prevent weight gain is particularly troubling for those factions within mainstream medicine that have been exaggerating the role of dietary fat in weight gain while encouraging avoidance of dairy products. Dietary fat intakes have declined for decades, and yet obesity cases have been rising at the same time. Recent research suggests that the use of fairy product as part of a healthy diet in children is actually beneficial to weight loss.
The benefits of dairy products were reported in a study1 that fed prepubescent children (mean age 5.6 years) either an isocaloric dairy rich diet of over 800 calories per day, a calorie restricted diet with energy intake dictated by weight and height, or a control diet with no recommendations. The dairy group were advised to obtain most of their calcium from milk, cheese and yogurt. Nutritional counselling and advice was given for 6 months to ensure compliance and aid in adherence to the regimens. Follow-up of the groups occurred twice a year for 3 years following the baseline survey. In all group, the body mass index standard deviation and the waist circumference decreased after the 6 months study period. This improvement was reversed during the 3 year follow-up period, however, for the high dairy group, this reversal was significantly less than for the energy restriction group.
This study provides further evidence that high dairy intakes are beneficial at preventing weight gain. The evidence that weight regain occurred more slowly in the dairy group supports previous findings regarding the benefits of high dairy intakes. That the energy restricted group had a reversal of their weight reduction upon cessation of their counselling also supports a large body of evidence that shows that low calorie diets are not effective long-term weight loss strategies, because any weight lost is nearly always regained following withdrawal of energy restriction. Insulin, triglycerides and homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) were reduced during the 6 month intervention period in both groups, and rose again following intervention, but remained significantly lower in the dairy versus the energy restricted group. This pattern suggests that the changes in these metabolic markers were dependent on the weight loss and regain seen in the two treatment groups.
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