"We're pleased that the report recognizes the important role dairy foods play in contributing valuable nutrients to the diet of children and adolescents," said Ann Marie Krautheim, MA, RD, senior vice president of nutrition affairs at the NDC. "Child health is a dairy industry priority and we're committed to continuing to develop healthy and great-tasting dairy foods that can be enjoyed at school, at home and on-the-go."
With child obesity rates on the rise, the new guidelines aim to improve children and adolescents' diets and health. "This report is a step in the right direction for helping children and adolescents develop lifelong healthy eating habits," said Keith Ayoob, EdD, RD, FADA Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "The report wants to encourage kids to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and especially dairy foods, which give kids three of the five 'nutrients of concern' identified by the Dietary Guidelines, specifically, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Kids spend more than half their day in school, so it's important that school food and beverage offerings provide the nutrients they need."