Decline in Childhood Milk Consumption May Affect Long Term Health

Milk has historically been a staple in childhood diets and a key source of nutrition. So why are children in the US drinking less of it today?

A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science indicates that childhood milk consumption has been decreasing for decades. This is concerning, according to some health experts, given that milk provides an array of health benefits for kids’ growing bodies.

“Adequate consumption of milk and dairy products, especially during childhood, has beneficial health outcomes for growth, development, and reduced risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, and cancer during adulthood,” the authors wrote in the study.

Declining Milk Consumption

According to the study, “Total consumption of all milk types in U.S. schools declined by 14.2% from 2008 to 2017, and the percentage of children participating in the school lunch program has also declined.” But with millennial parents more concerned about health and wellness than recent generations of parents, the cause of this decline has confounded health experts.

It is cause for pause, given that milk provides an array of health benefits for kids’ growing bodies. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of cow’s milk for children, recommending 2 to 3 cups daily for toddlers and around 2 to 2.5 cups daily for older kids. The organization cites benefits like calcium for healthy bones, along with vitamin D, protein, and zinc.

The School Milk Program

Since the introduction of the Special Milk Program of 1954, the government has provided subsidized milk to schools to ensure adequate nutrition of American schoolchildren. This is a huge plus, says Susy Cohen, a board-certified registered dietitian. “The program allows schools to offer this nutritious beverage to low-income students in place of other drinks that may have been at their reach instead, such as sodas or fruit juice,” she says. 

But there’s an important drawback to consider. Because many health organizations now recommend lower fat milks for kids due to the obesity epidemic, schools are limited to serving only fat-free or low-fat milk.

“Whole milk is creamier, making it tastier and more generally accepted by younger kids,” says Cohen. “Therefore, the milk being offered may be harder to be accepted by kids and more likely to be wasted and thrown out.”

Why Are Kids Drinking Less Milk? 

It’s a multifaceted issue. Several other factors are contributing to the decline in childhood milk consumption.  

Parents Are Opting for Milk Alternatives

The milk aisle doesn’t exactly look like it used to. For a long time, milk was available two ways: from a carton or from a jug.

But with the rise in popularity of milk alternatives like almond, coconut, and oat milk, as well as environmental and animal welfare concerns, parents are reaching for milk cartons less and less. Research indicates that sales of non-dairy milks have grown a 61% since 2012, in a market that pulls in well over $2 billion annually. 

Concern About Hormones

Bovine growth hormones, used to stimulate milk production in cows, can be found in the cow’s milk we drink. As a result, many parents have switched to organic or grass-fed cow’s milk in an attempt to avoid exposing their little ones to these hormones.

Kids Are Drinking More Juice and Soda

It’s no secret that kids’ diets in the U.S. have steadily worsened over the years. One study found that from 1989 to 2008, calories from sugary beverages increased by 60% in children ages 6 to 11, from 130 to 209 calories per day, and the percentage of children consuming them rose from 79% to 91%.

Encouraging Kids to Drink More Milk

Parents of children who eat a relatively healthy, well-rounded diet may not need to worry as much if their kids aren’t drinking milk regularly. But for kids without regular access to fresh, healthy foods or vitamin supplements, or extremely picky eaters, milk packs a powerful punch of otherwise lacking vitamins and minerals.

“Offer a glass of milk alongside foods that the child genuinely enjoys, such as a banana or a peanut butter sandwich," Cohen suggests. "When new or unpopular foods are paired with those they enjoy, the new food can act as a bridge to help the child try it.” 

When it comes to transitioning a breastfed or formula-fed infant to cow’s milk (when your baby is at least 12 months old), mix the formula or breastmilk with cow’s milk. Slowly increase the amount of milk while decreasing the formula or breastmilk.