The impact of calcium and dairy product consumption on weight loss.
OBJECTIVE
Recent evidence suggests that diets high in calcium and dairy products are associated with lower body weight, particularly lower body fat levels. The purpose of this study was to compare weight and body fat loss on a calorie-restricted, low-dairy (CR) vs. high-dairy (CR+D) diet.


METHODS
Fifty-four subjects (BMI 30 +/- 2.5 kg/m2, 45 +/- 6.6 years, 4 men) were randomly assigned to calorie-restricted (-500 kcal/d) low-dairy calcium (n = 29; approximately 1 serving dairy/d, 500 mg/d calcium) or high-dairy calcium (n = 25; 3 to 4 servings dairy/d, 1200 to 1400 mg/d calcium) diets for 12 months. Main outcome measures included change in weight (kilograms) and body fat (percentage).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. At 12 months, weight and body fat loss were not significantly different. Subjects in the CR vs. CR+D conditions lost 9.6 +/- 6.5 vs. 10.8 +/- 5.9 kg (p = 0.56) and 9.0 +/- 3.8 vs. 10.1 +/- 3.6 kg body fat (p = 0.37).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a high-dairy calcium diet does not substantially improve weight loss beyond what can be achieved in a behavioral intervention.
Harvey-Berino
Jean
J
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0148, USA. Jean.Harvey-Berino@uvm.edu
Gold
Beth Casey
BC
Lauber
Renee
R
Starinski
Amy
A
D000328:Adult; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003611:Dairy Products; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015431:Weight Loss
D002136:Calcium, Dietary