Abstract
The association between sugar sweetened beverages consumption in children and adolescents and the incidence of overweight and obesity has been well documented. Flavored milk products comprise a group of sugar-sweetened milks that include chocolate milk, and the added sugar in chocolate milk may promote weight gain. Data is sparse on the association between chocolate milk intake and weight change in children and adolescents. To examine the association between chocolate milk intake and change in BMI-z-score among children and adolescents over 4 years. Data from 5321 children in the Growing Up Today Study 2, aged 9-15 years were collected by questionnaire in 2004 and 2008. We used generalized estimating equations with repeated measures within subjects to assess the association between chocolate milk intake and BMI-z-score change, adjusting for potential confounders. Baseline chocolate milk intake at baseline was not associated with changes in BMI z-score over 4 years. However, children who increased their chocolate milk intake from 2004 to 2008 gained 0.09 BMI z-score units (95% CI: 0.04, 0.14) more than children over the same four year period. This association was more evident among children who did not consume chocolate milk at baseline. Children who started drinking chocolate milk during follow-up gained 0.12 BMI z-score units (95% CI: 0.05, 0.18) than children who never drank chocolate milk. Increasing or starting consumption of chocolate milk is associated with greater weight gain in children and adolescents. Our findings suggest that flavored milks consumption may influence weight change the same direction as sugar sweetened beverages.