USA – To build strong bones, children need exercise, sunshine – and a dairy-free diet.

That is the startling claim made by a US health organisation in the Pediatrics journal. In the article, nutritionist Amy Joy Lanou and co-authors say that dairy products do not promote bone health in children and young adults. They agree that physical activity has a positive impact on bone health, but believe evidence linking bone health with dairy product consumption is weak, at best.

Dr Lanou said: “Under scientific scrutiny, the support for the milk myth crumbles. This analysis of 58 published studies