Decreasing the fat content of milk served in schools can increase consumption while reducing calorie and fat intake

Feb. 16, 2010( Medscape)

Summary : Replacing whole milk with low-fat or fat-free milk and serving only fat-free chocolate milk in New York City school cafeterias "decreased the amount of fat and calories apparently consumed by students without decreasing overall school milk purchases, thereby maintaining student consumption of calcium and important vitamins."

Basis for Study : New York City’s Department of Education changed its school milk policies in an attempt to combat childhood obesity. This article summarizes the impact of these changes on students’ intake of milk, calories and fat.

Detailed Summary of Study : Starting in 2004, whole milk was replaced by low-fat or fat-free milk in school cafeterias, and chocolate milk was changed from low-fat to fat-free. The changes were instituted city-wide in 2006.

Results/Body : "By removing whole milk and switching from low-fat to fat-free chocolate milk, NYC public school milk-drinking students were served an estimated 5,960 fewer calories and 619 fewer grams of fat in 2009 than they were in 2004. Other school systems can use these results to guide changes to their own school food policies." Contrary to concerns that removing whole milk would reduce children's milk intake, "school milk purchases per student per year increased 1.3% in fiscal year 2009 compared with 2004 purchases"-from 112 half-pints per student in 2004 to 114 in 2009.

Sources & Other Links : Alberti PM, Perlman SE, Nonas C,et al. Effects of switching from whole to low-fat/fat-free milk in public schools—New York City, 2004-2009. MMWR 2010;Jan 10/59:70-73


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