Breaking News and Research

Protein + Exercise Help with Weight Loss & Muscle Tone

While weight loss is a common health goal for many Americans, they may not realize that it often comes in the form of both fat and muscle loss. Maintaining muscle during weight loss is important, and two new studies show the benefits of higher protein diets on muscle during this process. The first looked at a group of younger, overweight or obese women and found that during the last eight weeks of the study, daily exercise paired with the reduced calorie diet highest in protein and dairy foods led to the greatest fat loss and lean muscle gain compared to daily exercise paired with the reduced calorie diet lower in protein and dairy foods.

Another study of older women participating in a weight loss regimen (exercise and a reduced calorie diet) had similar results, such that those women receiving a whey protein supplement (45g additional protein per day) were able to maintain more muscle relative to the weight they lost than those women receiving a carbohydrate–based supplement of equal calories.

Want to receive more updates on the latest dairy science? Subscribe to Dairy Research Insights, the Dairy Research Institute's monthly e–newsletter.

Back to School with Fuel Up to Play 60

Students Show off Back–to–School Spirit with Back–to–Football Challenge

We've got spirit, how 'bout you? With the 2011–2012 school year in full swing, Fuel Up to Play 60 students have been hard at work creating submissions for the Back–to–School, Back–to–Football Challenge. Students were asked to create a commercial illustrating how they are kicking off the year with Fuel Up to Play 60 and generating spirit among their peers. The winner, set to be announced in October, will receive tickets to Super Bowl XLV!

Head over to Fuel Up to Play 60's SchoolTube page to check out submissions for the Challenge, which wraps up on October 10.

Are you a Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisor? If so, check out the Healthy Tailgate Party Play in your Playbook on FuelUpToPlay60.com. You'll find great ideas for hosting Tailgate Parties to showcase how fun and easy healthy eating and physical activity can be.

Childhood Obesity Month: Fight for Healthier Kids

Approximately 12.5 million American children and adolescents are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and there is no better time to join the movement to end childhood obesity by getting involved with Fuel Up to Play 60, which encourages youth to consume nutrient–rich foods and complete at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Parents, community leaders, health professionals and businesses can learn more about what they can do to help conquer childhood obesity at FuelUpToPlay60.com. Registered dietitians can also join the ADA Foundation Kids Eat Right Initiative and sign up to take action with Fuel Up to Play 60 in schools across the country.

Click here for our Child Nutrition Health Education kit.

More from SUDIA

New Hispanic Health Education Kit Available

We know how important it is to take a patient's culture and customs into account when personalizing health or nutrition messages. The Hispanic population is the largest ethnic/racial minority group in the United States and is impacted by obesity and some health conditions more than non–Hispanic whites. On average, U.S. born Hispanics consume only 1.5 – 1.6 servings of dairy a day, potentially missing the important nutrients that dairy foods provide. That's why SUDIA is providing a Hispanic Health Education Kit, which offers research, handouts and educational resources on health considerations important for Hispanics and the role of dairy foods in a healthly diet.

Flavored Milk is Packed with Nutrition Essential for Kids' Growth

When it comes to flavored milk, it's about perspective – flavored milk hardly moves the needle on added sugar intake; in fact, it contributes only 3 percent of added sugars to a child's diet, on average. However, in every affordable 8 oz. package, it provides essential nutrients. Milk, including flavored milk, is the #1 source of calcium, vitamin D and potassium in a child's diet.

This school year, 95 percent of flavored milk in schools across the country is projected to be 150 calories or less per serving, with an average calorie level of 134. There has been a 38 percent reduction in added sugar in flavored milk served in schools since 2006. The average added sugar level today is 10.4 grams per 8 oz. serving, compared to 16.7 grams five years ago. Additionally, studies show that school–aged children who drink flavored milk actually drink more milk overall, consume more nutrients such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin A than non–milk drinkers, do not have higher intakes of added sugar or total fat, and have comparable or lower BMIs compared to children who do not consume flavored milk.

These innovations in flavored milk are the result of an ongoing commitment by the dairy industry to provide dairy products to not only meet the health and wellness needs of children but the taste needs as well.

Be sure to check out the Dairy Delivers blog for more information on flavored milk and snack ideas.