Associations between Saturated Fat from Single Dairy Foods and Body Composition in Young Canadian Children
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
16 April 2025
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the associations between dairy-derived saturated fat from fluid cow’s milk, cheese, and yogurt, and body composition [body mass index z-scores (BMIz), fat mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] in children aged 1.5–5 years.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 267 children (3.5 ± 1.2 years) from the Guelph Family Health Study. Dairy-derived saturated fat intake (g/1000 kcal) was assessed via one 24-hour dietary recall completed by parents using the web-based Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool 2016 – Canadian version. Linear regression using generalized estimating equations explored associations between dairy-derived saturated fat intake and BMIz and FMI, adjusted for physical activity, household income, parent education, and child ethnicity; WHtR was additionally adjusted for age and sex.
Results: Total dairy- and milk-derived saturated fat were not associated with any body composition outcomes. Cheese-derived saturated fat intake was positively, but marginally associated with BMIz (B̂ = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.06, p = 0.013), while yogurt-derived saturated fat was inversely associated with FMI (B̂ = −0.19, 95% CI: −0.34 to −0.04, p = 0.015).
Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings may inform dietary guidelines to recognize the neutral or potentially beneficial effects of saturated fat from dairy products on body composition in young children. Longitudinal studies are warranted.
Résumé
Objectif. Examiner les associations entre les gras saturés d’origine laitière provenant du lait de vache liquide, du fromage et du yogourt, et la composition corporelle [écart réduit de l’indice de masse corporelle (zIMC), indice de masse grasse (IMG) et rapport tour de taille:stature (RTtS)] chez des enfants de 1,5 à 5 ans.
Méthodes. Cette étude transversale a utilisé les données de référence de 267 enfants (3,5 ± 1,2 ans) de la Guelph Family Health Study. L’apport en gras saturés d’origine laitière (g/1000 kcal) a été évalué par un rappel alimentaire de 24 heures effectué par les parents à l’aide de la version canadienne de l’Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool 2016, disponible en ligne. Une régression linéaire utilisant des équations d’estimation généralisées a exploré les associations entre l’apport en gras saturés d’origine laitière, et le zIMC et l’IMG, après ajustement pour l’activité physique, le revenu du ménage, le niveau d’éducation des parents et l’origine ethnique de l’enfant; le RTtS a également été ajusté en fonction de l’âge et du sexe.
Résultats. Les gras saturés totaux provenant des produits laitiers et du lait n’ont été associés à aucun résultat en matière de composition corporelle. L’apport en gras saturés issus du fromage était positivement, mais marginalement associé au zIMC (B̂ = 0,03, IC à 95 % : 0,01 à 0,06, p = 0,013), tandis que les gras saturés issus du yogourt étaient inversement associés à l’IMG (B̂ = −0,19, IC à 95 % : −0,34 à −0,04, p = 0,015).
Conclusions. Ces résultats transversaux pourraient servir de base à des lignes directrices en matière d’alimentation reconnaissant les effets neutres ou potentiellement bénéfiques des gras saturés laitiers sur la composition corporelle des jeunes enfants. Des études longitudinales sont justifiées.
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Financial support: Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships related to the dairy industry that could be viewed as potential conflicts of interest.
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Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
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Pages: 1 - 7
Editor: Naomi Cahill
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Version of record online: 16 April 2025
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© 2025.
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Hillary W.H. Lo, Michael Prashad MSc, Alison M. Duncan PhD, RD, Lori Ann Vallis PhD, Jess Haines PhD, RD, David W.L. MA PhD, Andrea C. Buchholz PhD, RD, and On Behalf of the Guelph Family Health Study. Associations between Saturated Fat from Single Dairy Foods and Body Composition in Young Canadian Children. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
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https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2025-009
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