title: Association of dairy products consumption with risk of obesity in children and adults: a meta-analysis of mainly cross-sectional studies.
abstract: The association of dairy products consumption with risk of obesity remains controversial. Therefore, we reviewed and quantitatively synthesized the evidence from observational studies with a meta-analysis.
  
  
  
  A literature search was performed in relevant databases. Random-effects model was used to pool odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline model.
  
  
  
  Seventeen studies for total dairy products and 16 studies for milk with risk of obesity were eligible. The pooled odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of obesity for the highest versus lowest category of total dairy products consumption were 0.54 (0.38-0.77) in children, 0.75 (0.69-0.81) in adults, and 0.74 (0.68-0.80) for both. Evidence of a nonlinear relationship was found (Pfor nonlinearity= .009). Milk consumption was also associated with risk of obesity [0.81 (0.75-0.88)] both in children [0.87 (0.80-0.95)] and in adults [0.77 (0.68-0.87)], and a linear relationship (Pfor nonlinearity= .598) suggested that risk of obesity decreased by 16% [0.84 (0.77-0.92)] for every 200 g/d increment of milk consumption.
  
  
  
  This meta-analysis indicates that dairy products consumption may be associated with a decreased risk of obesity. This association may be of public health significance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weijing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yili
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: zhangdf1961@126.com.
authors.forename: Dongfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Dairy; Dose–response meta-analysis; Milk; Nutrition; Obesity