14 Dec 2009 --- The specific properties of milk may play a role in preventing obesity, Prof. Frans Kok, the head of the Department of Human Nutrition at Wageningen University told the recent "Nutrition and Overweight: Theory and Practice. The role of milk”, symposium. The symposium was organized by the Dutch Dairy Organization in collaboration with the Dutch Association of Dietitians (NVD).

According to Kok, dairy greatly contributes towards a high nutrient intake. This is particularly true for calcium, vitamin B2 and B12, protein and zinc. Moreover, milk contributes about 15% of energy intake. The rich nutrients combined with the relatively low energy contribution may play a specific role in weight maintenance, said Kok.

Prof. Jacqueline Dekker from the Vrij University in Amsterdam was at the symposium to discuss the relationship between dairy consumption and obesity. Research shows that people with a high-fat dairy product diet generally have a low body-mass index, and a small waistline.

It is unclear to what extent milk plays a role. For, according to Dekker, the investigation shows that people with a high dairy consumption generally have a healthier lifestyle; they smoke less and exercise more than people who cosnume little milk. "It is clear that calcium plays a role in weight control, but more research is needed to determine the specific role of dairy."

Source: NZO