Researchers looked at nearly 2,400 low-income toddlers to see if drinking full-fat milk affected their weight and nutrition. They tracked children from age 2 to 3 years old and measured how much milk fat they consumed. The study found that toddlers who drank less full-fat milk had lower saturated fat and calorie intake, but their weight didn’t change differently than kids who drank more full-fat milk. This suggests that milk fat amount may not be the main factor affecting toddler weight gain, though more research is needed to fully understand the connection.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether the amount of fat in milk that toddlers drink affects their weight gain and overall nutrition between ages 2 and 3
  • Who participated: 2,373 toddlers from low-income families enrolled in WIC (a government nutrition assistance program). The group included children of different races and ethnicities across 27 states
  • Key finding: Toddlers who consumed less milk fat had lower amounts of saturated fat and total calories in their diet, but their weight didn’t change more or less than toddlers who drank more milk fat
  • What it means for you: If your toddler is in a low-income family, reducing milk fat may help lower overall saturated fat intake, but it probably won’t directly affect weight gain. Talk to your pediatrician about what’s best for your child, as this is one study and more research is needed

The Research Details

Researchers used information collected from 2013 to 2020 from the WIC Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study, which tracked real families over time. They looked at 80 different WIC programs across 27 states. The study followed toddlers from age 2 to 3 years old, measuring how much milk fat they consumed and tracking changes in their weight and diet. They used statistical methods to find connections between milk fat intake and weight changes, while accounting for other factors that might affect weight.

This research approach is important because it follows real children in real-world situations rather than in a controlled lab setting. This makes the findings more relevant to everyday families. By looking at low-income families specifically, researchers can understand if nutrition recommendations work the same way for all children, regardless of income level

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of children (2,373), tracked them over a full year, and included diverse racial and ethnic groups. However, the study only looked at families in the WIC program, so results may not apply to all families. The researchers measured diet through parent reports, which can sometimes be less accurate than other methods. This is one study, so the findings need to be confirmed by other research

What the Results Show

The main finding was that toddlers who followed the recommendation to limit milk fat to 1% or less of their total calories had lower saturated fat intake compared to those who consumed more milk fat. This held true even when researchers adjusted for other factors like age and activity level. Additionally, in the most complete analysis, toddlers with lower milk fat intake had lower total calorie intake. However, the amount of milk fat consumed did not predict whether a child’s weight would increase more or less over the year. This was surprising to researchers because many people assume that full-fat milk leads to more weight gain in young children.

The study also looked at added sugars intake (sugars added to foods during processing or preparation) and found no significant difference between children who consumed different amounts of milk fat. This suggests that milk fat intake may not be connected to how much added sugar toddlers eat. The findings were consistent across different racial and ethnic groups in the study

Previous research has shown mixed results about milk fat and child weight. Some studies suggested full-fat milk might be better for young children’s development, while others found no clear advantage. This study adds to that conversation by showing that in low-income families, milk fat amount doesn’t seem to directly affect weight gain, though it does affect overall saturated fat intake. The results suggest the relationship between milk fat and weight is more complicated than previously thought

This study only included families in the WIC program, so results may not apply to all families. Diet information came from parents reporting what their children ate, which can be less accurate than other measurement methods. The study couldn’t prove that milk fat caused changes in diet or weight—it only showed associations. Other factors not measured in the study could have affected the results. Additionally, the study didn’t look at the type of milk consumed or other sources of fat in the diet

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, limiting milk fat intake to recommended levels (1% or less of total calories) may help reduce saturated fat intake in toddlers from low-income families, but it won’t directly affect weight gain. Current dietary guidelines recommend whole milk for children under 2 years old and lower-fat options after age 2. This study suggests that following these guidelines for fat intake is reasonable, though weight management involves many factors beyond just milk fat. Confidence level: Moderate—this is one study and more research is needed

Parents and caregivers of toddlers ages 2-3, especially those in low-income families or using WIC benefits. Pediatricians and nutrition professionals working with young children. Policy makers developing nutrition assistance programs. This study may be less relevant for families with higher incomes or different dietary patterns, as the findings come specifically from low-income families

Changes in diet composition (like saturated fat intake) may be noticeable within weeks to months of adjusting milk fat intake. However, weight changes take longer to observe and are influenced by many factors beyond just milk fat. Don’t expect dramatic weight changes from milk fat adjustments alone—focus on overall healthy eating patterns

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your toddler’s daily milk intake (type and amount) and note their weight at monthly check-ups. Record the type of milk consumed (whole, 2%, 1%, or skim) to monitor saturated fat intake from this source
  • If your toddler currently drinks whole milk, gradually transition to lower-fat milk options after age 2 (if recommended by your pediatrician). Track this transition in the app and note any changes in your child’s overall diet quality and energy levels
  • Set monthly reminders to log milk type and amount consumed. Track weight changes at regular pediatrician visits. Monitor overall diet quality by logging meals weekly to see patterns in saturated fat and calorie intake from all sources, not just milk

This research is one study examining associations between milk fat and weight in low-income toddlers and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your toddler’s diet. Individual children have different nutritional needs based on their age, health status, and development. The findings from this study may not apply to all children or families. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.