School milk programmes benefit child health

CHINA – Researchers in China have, for the first time, conducted a study into the health benefits associated with school milk programme, with results suggesting they could improve height, weight and bone development.

The conclusions of the paper, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, found that school milk programmes would be particularly beneficial when home consumption of calcium and vitamin D is low.

Over 600 girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years from primary schools across Beijing took part in the two-year study. Using an intervention model, the girls were divided into three groups: those receiving 330ml of calcium fortified UHT milk, those receiving 330ml of calcium and vitamin D fortified UHT milk, and those receiving none.