ADULTS

Calcium Intake Not Associated With Weight Gain
(03/2006)

A study showing that calcium intake is not associated with weight gain was authored by Harvard researchers including Dr. Walter Willett titled, "Calcium and dairy intakes in relation to long-term weight gain in US men," published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

This observational study found no link between calcium intake and weight gain over time. Specifically, the researchers examined baseline calcium intake and change in total calcium intake (from dairy, other dietary calcium sources or calcium supplements) over a 12-year period and found no association with weight gain when adjusting for lifestyle factors and age. The study did show benefits of higher dairy consumption, including a lower prevalence of both high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels and higher intake of cereal fiber and vitamin D.

The study included more than 19,000 healthy, normal-weight men aged 40-75 years who were enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Study participants followed their normal diets, not calorie-restricted diets.

These findings are consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend 3 servings of lowfat dairy foods each day, recognizing that intake of dairy foods does not contribute to extra weight gain.