Associations between Saturated Fat from Single Dairy Foods and Body Composition in Young Canadian Children

Purpose: To examine the associations between dairy-derived saturated fat from fluid cow's milk, cheese, and yogurt, and body composition [body mass index z-scores (BMIz), fat mass index (FMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] in children aged 1.5-5 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 267 children (3.5 ± 1.2 years) from the Guelph Family Health Study. Dairy-derived saturated fat intake (g/1000 kcal) was assessed via one 24-hour dietary recall completed by parents using the web-based Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool 2016 - Canadian version. Linear regression using generalized estimating equations explored associations between dairy-derived saturated fat intake and BMIz and FMI, adjusted for physical activity, household income, parent education, and child ethnicity; WHtR was additionally adjusted for age and sex. Results: Total dairy- and milk-derived saturated fat were not associated with any body composition outcomes. Cheese-derived saturated fat intake was positively, but marginally associated with BMIz (B̂ = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.06, p = 0.013), while yogurt-derived saturated fat was inversely associated with FMI (B̂ = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.34 to -0.04, p = 0.015). Conclusions: These cross-sectional findings may inform dietary guidelines to recognize the neutral or potentially beneficial effects of saturated fat from dairy products on body composition in young children. Longitudinal studies are warranted.