Dietary, Biochemical and Anthropometric Effects of Dairy Products on Selected Family Groups

Dietary, biochemical and anthropometric effects of varying levels of dairy products, particularly liquid milk, on free-living semi-rural family groups were assessed. Thirty-five families, consisting of 181 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 48 years, were studied. Dairy products were the major contributor of protein (29%), vitamin A (50%), vitamin C (15%), vitamin E (29%), riboflavin (42%), folic acid (20%), vitamin B₁₂ (43%), calcium (66%), magnesium (26%), zinc (25%) and phosphorus (43%) to the diet. While average daily energy intake corresponded with the RDA there was an excess of protein particularly in the upper quartile groups of dairy product intake (i.e. the 25% of participants with greater than 34% of total energy derived from dairy products). Average fat intake as a percentage of total energy exceeded current recommendations but there was little difference between upper and lower quartiles, as the lower quartile groups consumed a large quantity of non-dairy fats. Diets of the female adolescent and adult groups showed a degree of nutrient imbalance not seen in the other group. In free-living subjects high intakes of dairy products do not appear to have an adverse effect on biolipids, particularly lipoprotein fractions and anthropometric parameters conventionally used to assess coronary heart disease. The relevance of the selected dietary recommendations used in the study suggest the need for revision in view of anomalies encountered.