Why Is Milk So Important?

Many kids are not getting enough calcium
Milk foods are a rich and readily absorbable source of calcium and milk drinking should be encouraged for the majority of children and adolescents. In many countries, there are concerns that the current intake of milk and milk foods is below recommendations and survey data indicates that many population groups fail to meet their Recommended Dietary Intake for calcium.

The most recent Australian National Nutrition Survey (1) showed that 30 per cent of children and adolescents aged 2-18 years consumed less than one serve of milk products and dishes on the day of the survey. A further 51 per cent consumed between one and three serves and only 20 per cent consumed the recommended three or more serves. In other words according to this survey, 4 out of 5 Australian children may not consume enough dairy in their diet.

Helps healthy bones
Milk consumption in childhood and adolescents has been shown in a number of studies to have positive effects on achieving peak bone density prior to growth ceasing (2). Helping teens reach their “peak” is vital in ensuring good bone health later in life, by assisting bones bear up to aging related demineralisation.

Teenage girls need milk
Encouraging milk consumption in adolescent girls is particularly important as survey results show they have low milk and calcium intakes, just when they need it the most.

Support for milk in keeping a healthy weight
There are also calls to strengthen the promotion of water and milk as the best drinks for children and adolescents following concerns at the rise in sweetened drink consumption, namely soft drinks, and links with an unhealthy diet.

References and scientific support:

1. National Nutrition Survey: Foods Eaten, Australia, 1995. Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra 1998
2. Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents in Australia. National Health and Medical Research Council, 2003