Low-fat milk consumption among children and adolescents in the United States, 2007-2008.

In 2007–2008, among children and adolescents aged 2–19 years, 77.7% of boys and 67.4% of girls reported daily consumption of milk. Fewer than 10% of children and adolescents reported never consuming milk over the preceding 30 days. Among children and adolescents who reported milk consumption, two-percent milk was reported as the usual type of milk consumed more often than other milk types. Only 20.2% of children and adolescents reported consuming low-fat milk as their usual type of milk; low-fat milk consumption was particularly low among non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and low-income children and adolescents. The overall low consumption of low-fat milk suggests the majority of children and adolescents do not adhere to recommendations by Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children aged 2 years and over to drink low-fat milk. Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama’s "Let’s Move!" campaign (5) and "The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation 2010" (6) have recommended promoting water and low-fat milk and reducing sugar-sweetened beverages as components of comprehensive obesity prevention strategies. All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.