May 6/Adelaide, Australia/University of South Australia -- Low-fat dairy is a good option for parents who want to reduce their children’s saturated fat intakes, but it will not help children lose weight or fat, according to a new study from University of South Australia (Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May;93(5):1117-27).
Researchers Gilly A. Hendrie and Rebecca K. Golley conducted a 24-week cluster, randomized, controlled trial with 93 families with children 4-13 years old. The families were randomly allocated to parental education regarding changing to reduced-fat dairy foods (n = 76 children) or reducing screen time (n = 69 children). Study outcomes, which were measured at baseline, 12 weeks (which was the end of the intervention) and 24 weeks, included saturated fat, caloric and nutrient intakes; and blood lipid concentrations; body mass index (BMI); and waist circumference.