Can a dairy-rich diet be effective in long-term weight control of young children?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the long-term effect of a randomized controlled trial of a dairy-rich diet on generalized and abdominal obesity, as well as on the components of the metabolic syndrome, among obese prepubescent children.


METHODS
This trial was conducted among a population-based sample of 120 obese prepubescent children who were randomly assigned to 3 groups of equal number. In addition to attending 6 consecutive monthly family-centered education sessions about healthy lifestyle, an isocaloric dairy-rich diet (>800 mg ca/d) was recommended to the children of one group (DR: dairy-rich diet), the second group was placed on a caloric-restricted regimen (ER: energy-restricted), and the third group received no additional recommendation (C: controls). The groups were then followed-up twice a year for 3 years.


RESULTS
The mean age of the children was 5.6 +/- 0.5 years. Of 120 participants, 95 (75%) completed the study; the DR group had the highest retention rate. In all groups, body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) and waist circumference decreased significantly after the 6-month trial, but had a sustained significant rise during the follow-up period to the end of the study; however, in the DR group, this rise was significantly lower than in the 2 other groups. After the 6-month trial, in all groups, serum triglycerides (TG) and insulin levels decreased, and serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) increased. In the DR group, the TG, insulin and HOMA-R levels remained significantly lower than baseline until the 12-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that in addition to lifestyle changes, an isocaloric diet rich in dairy products may be a well-accepted regimen and can be a safe and practical strategy for weight control in young, overweight children.
Kelishadi
Roya
R
Pediatric Preventive Cardiology Department, Isfahan Cardiovascular, Research Centre, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81465-1148, Isfahan, Iran. Kelishadi@med.mui.ac.ir
Zemel
Michael B
MB
Hashemipour
Mahin
M
Hosseini
Mohsen
M
Mohammadifard
Noushin
N
Poursafa
Parinaz
P
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003611:Dairy Products; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides