Kids need healthy start

A nationwide study of 12,829 children ages 9 to 14 found that drinking cow’s milk leads to weight gain, even after adjusting for low-fat milk, other dietary factors and physical activity. The study was conducted by the prestigious Harvard Medical School and Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It is published in the June issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

The percentage of overweight children has more than tripled since 1980 to an estimated 16 percent, and overweight children are likely to grow into obese adults. Consumption of cow’s milk and other dairy products containing saturated fats, cholesterol, excess proteins, hormones and other contaminants may lead to heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other chronic ills. Moreover, most African-American and Asian-American children are lactose-intolerant and subject to cramping.

Two years ago, the National Dairy Council launched a $200 million “3-A-Day” campaign to promote cow’s milk for weight loss and to counter the National Cancer Institute’s “5 A Day” successful program encouraging consumption of wholesome fruits and vegetables. The USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommends two to three dairy servings to promote calcium intake.

However, green leafy vegetables, fortified orange juice and soy milk supply large amounts of readily absorbed calcium. They also contain vital nutrients, few calories and no harmful ingredients. These items are readily available in every supermarket.

Let’s give our kids a healthy start!

Buck Johnston

Bangor