Abstract
Media has portrayed chocolate milk negatively and has been removed in some schoolsdue to added sugar. However, it contributes only 3% of total added sugars in children's
diets (Murphy, Douglas, Johnson, & Spence, 2008). It also provides all nine of the
essential nutrients as white milk, three of which are vital shortfall nutrients (Mahan &
Escott-Stump, 2008). The purpose of this study is to determine if the presence of
chocolate milk affects the calcium intake of school- aged children in Nebraska. A
convenience sample of approximately 300 children and adolescents, K-12, participated in
a three-day quantitative study. The study occurred each day during their lunch meal. On
day 1, participants were offered white or chocolate milk. On day 2, participants were
offered white milk only. On day 3, participants were offered white or chocolate. After
each day, individual milk cartons were weighed. Leftover milk was subtracted from the
weight of the initial milk, 8. 7 ounces, to determine total milk consumption. IRB approval
was granted. On day 1, the average consumption per student (white and chocolate milk)
was 5.75 ounces (215 mg calcium). On day 2, the average consumption per student
(white milk only) significantly decreased (p<0.001) to 4.4 ounces (165 mg calcium). On
day 3, average consumption per student (white and chocolate milk) significantly
increased (p<3.3 x 10 -6) to 6.1 ounces (229 mg calcium) when chocolate milk was
reintroduced. The findings indicate that offering chocolate milk in addition to white milk
may increase overall milk and calcium consumption in a school-aged population.
| Date of Award | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Original language | American English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Karla Kennedy-Hagan (Supervisor) |