School Milk Trial Builds Kids

SYDNEY - Mar 30/04 - SNS -- A school milk trial in China had a vivid effect on the body masses of girls involved in the study group, according to results of the Australian study.

A group of 250 11-year old girls drank 330mL of calcium-fortified milk every school day, while a control group of 250 girls did not. Girls drinking milk gained an extra 0.8cm height over their peers, about 1kg more body mass due to the extra height, and 32g more bone mineral, when compared with 250 girls in the control group who received no milk.

An article in the latest edition of Innovate Australia notes: A third group of 250 girls also received the calcium-supplemented milk, but it was fortified with vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium and is usually absorbed from sunlight.

These girls acquired even more bone mass - 45g - and their milk consumption appears to have eradicated subclinical vitamin D deficiency, a problem which was widespread among the girls at the start of the trial.

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