Association of Milk Fat Intake on BMI Change and Nutrient Intake in WIC-Enrolled Toddlers

Rachel C Grau; Lorrene D Ritchie; Anisha Patel; Hannah R Thompson

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2025.08.002

Association of Milk Fat Intake on BMI Change and Nutrient Intake in WIC-Enrolled Toddlers

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2025 Nov 20:S1499-4046(25)00405-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2025.08.002. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rachel C Grau¹, Lorrene D Ritchie², Anisha Patel³, Hannah R Thompson⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
² Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Oakland, CA.
³ Division of General Pediatrics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA.
⁴ School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA; Nutrition Policy Institute, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, Oakland, CA. Electronic address: thompsonh@berkeley.edu.

PMID: 41269184
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2025.08.002

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the relationship between milk fat consumption from 24 to 36 months and (1) body mass index (BMI) z-score change from 24 to 36 months, and (2) nutrient intake at 36 months among toddlers who were Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-eligible at study initiation.

Design: Longitudinal analysis using WIC Infant Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 data collected from 2013 to 2020.

Setting: Eighty WIC enrollment sites across 27 US states.

Participants: Included 2,373 toddlers (27.6% Black, 57.1% White, 15.4% other race; 39.1% Hispanic ethnicity) from households with low income.

Interventions: None.

Main outcome measures: Changes in BMI z-score from 24 to 36 months and dietary intake (added sugars, saturated fat, total energy) at 36 months.

Analysis: Linear regression models analyzing relationships between average milk fat consumption from 24 to 36 months and outcome measures.

Results: Meeting milk fat consumption recommendations between 24 and 36 months (≤ 1%) associated with lower intake of saturated fat (all models) and energy intake (fully adjusted model), but not a change in BMI z-score or added sugars intake.

Conclusions and implications: Further research is needed to understand associations between milk fat consumption, BMI, and dietary patterns in toddlers from households with low income to inform dietary recommendations and nutritional assistance guidelines.

Keywords: BMI changes; WIC program; childhood nutrition; dietary intake; milk fat consumption.