Association of dairy intake with weight change in adolescents undergoing obesity treatment.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of dairy products in obesity treatment for adolescents is unclear. The study purpose was to assess the association between dairy intake and changes in BMI z-score (zBMI) during adolescent obesity treatment. METHODS: Observational study nested within a randomized control trial. Linear mixed-effects regression models were adjusted for important non-lifestyle factors then further adjusted for dietary and physical activity variables. In total, 91 adolescents were studied. RESULTS: Each serving of total dairy (ß = -0.0054, P < 0.01), unflavored milk (ß = -0.012, P < 0.01), reduced fat (ß = -0.0078, P < 0.05), and low fat/fat-free products (ß = -0.0149, P < 0.01) was associated with a decrease in zBMI over 12 months. These associations were no longer significant after adjustment for other dietary and physical activity factors. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake was inversely associated with intake of total dairy (ß = -0.186, P = 0.001), unflavored milk (ß = -0.115, P = 0.003) and low fat/fat-free dairy (ß = -0.125, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intakes of total dairy, unflavored milk, reduced fat dairy and low fat/fat-free dairy products are associated with improved obesity treatment outcomes among adolescents. This could be due to co-occurring healthy lifestyle behaviors or to replacement of other food and beverages associated with obesity, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, by dairy products.