Press Releases

New Study Finds Calcium Intake Is Not Associated with Extra Weight Gain

PHILADELPHIA (May 2, 2006) - Calcium intake was not associated with extra weight gain in men over a 12-year period, according to a new study published in the March 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study, which included more than 19,000 healthy men ages 40 to 75, evaluated the relationship between total calcium intake from diets and supplements, and changes in body weight based on self-reported weight at the beginning and end of the 12-year study period. Study participants followed their normal diets – not calorie-restricted diets.

The findings are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend three servings of lowfat dairy foods each day and recognize that dairy food consumption does not contribute to extra weight gain.

In addition to research that demonstrates dairy foods do not contribute to extra weight gain, dozens of studies provide compelling evidence that consuming three servings a day of milk, cheese or yogurt, as part of a reduced-calorie diet, may help adults achieve better weight loss results than just cutting calories with little or no dairy.

“The good news for the public is that you can follow the MyPyramid recommendation of three servings of dairy foods each day to meet your nutritional needs without concern of extra weight gain,” said Althea Zanecosky, registered dietitian and spokesperson for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association. “And if you’re cutting calories, it’s important to get your three servings of dairy foods each day for good health and to enhance weight loss efforts.”

If you are interested in learning more about the dairy/weight loss connection and an extensive review of current research, visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org, the nutrition research and education arm of the dairy checkoff program.

National, state and regional dairy council staff continue to educate the public about dairy’s role in weight loss through aggressive media relations efforts. Consumer media outlets, including Harper’s Bazaar, Women’s Health and Men’s Fitness, have featured articles about the dairy/weight loss science in recent months.

Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Inc. are the local planning and management organizations funded by dairy farmer checkoff dollars. They work closely with Dairy Management Inc. and are responsible for increasing demand for U.S. produced dairy products on behalf of area dairy farmers.