Breaking News and Research

DASH Diet May Help Teen Girls Manage Weight

Just days after USDA’s MyPlate highlighted the importance of consuming low-fat and fat-free dairy, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein, new research shows the impact a similar eating pattern may have on weight gain during adolescence. The “Use of a DASH Food Group Score to Predict Excess Weight Gain in Adolescent Girls in the National Growth and Healthy Study,” published  in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, evaluated the eating habits of  2,327 girls over 10 years of age and found that those who followed an eating pattern similar to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet – rich in low-fat or fat-free dairy, fish, lean meat, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables and whole grains – gained less excess weight by the time they reached young adulthood than girls that did not follow this approach. 

U.S. News & World Report just ranked the DASH diet “#1 Overall Diet” in its first-ever Best Diet rankings! DASH was originally developed for adults struggling with high blood pressure, and received high scores from a panel of experts for its overall nutritional completeness, role in supporting heart health and safety. For handouts, recipes, and other patient and client education materials on dairy foods’ critical role in the DASH diet, check out our DASH Health Education Kit.

Dairy May Help Improve Metabolic Health and Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, New Studies Report

Adequate dairy consumption as a part of a nutrient-rich, balanced diet may help maintain metabolic health and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, two new studies report. In the first, “Dairy attenuation of oxidative and inflammatory stress in metabolic syndrome,” published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 40 overweight and obese subjects with metabolic syndrome consumed either a low-dairy (<0.5 servings/day and <600 mg calcium/day) or an adequate-dairy weight maintenance diet (>3.5 servings/day and ≥1200 mg calcium/day) for 12 weeks. Results showed that an adequate intake of dairy significantly reduced both oxidative and inflammatory stress when compared to low intake. In addition, other key components of metabolic syndrome such as high blood pressure and insulin resistance were significantly improved by adequate dairy food intake levels. 

In a separate study, “Dairy consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of cohort studies,” published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between dairy products and type 2 diabetes. They found that an increased daily intake of dairy products (especially low-fat dairy) was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes development.  

These studies support the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which state that there is moderate evidence that intake of milk and milk products is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and with lower blood pressure in adults. These results also contribute to the growing body of research that demonstrates that adequate dairy consumption as part of a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is associated with a reduced risk of key components associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Check out the Dairy Research Institute press release to learn more.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Maintains Momentum through the Summer

Fuel Up to Play 60 National Student Ambassadors Gear Up for Summer Summit

Fuel Up to Play 60 National Student Ambassadors and Fuel Up to Play 60 State Representatives will gather this month in Washington, D.C., for a special leadership summit, where they will learn skills to help them serve as Fuel Up to Play 60 leaders in their communities.

Serving in Fuel Up to Play 60’s most elite student leadership positions, these young people are exceptional role models and help implement positive nutrition and fitness changes in their schools. At this year’s Student Ambassador Summit, these students will participate in in-depth training, interact with their peers and have the opportunity to help shape the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. To learn more, visit FuelUpToPlay60.com.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Students Remain Engaged with Summer Challenge

With just three weeks remaining in the Fuel Up to Play 60 Summer Theme Song Challenge, more than 64 submissions have been received from students across the country who are fueling up all summer long. The Challenge, which asks students to create their very own Fuel Up to Play 60 theme song or dance, has generated enthusiasm and submissions in the form of blog posts, photos and videos. Head over to SchoolTube.com to check them out!

More from SUDIA

July’s Dairy Council Digest Discusses Flavored Milk’s Nutrient Package

The July/August Dairy Council Digest, “Why Flavored Milk is a Nutritious Choice for Children,” examines the impact of reducing or eliminating flavored milk in schools on students’ milk consumption. It also provides an overview of recent recommendations and policy statements regarding flavored milk consumption from leading health professional organizations. Read more at www.southeastdairy.org.