Malaysian families not drinking enough milk

Malaysian families are not drinking enough milk. Generally, an individual would drink more milk as a child, then less as he or she enters school, even less when entering adulthood, and then milk consumption increases again in the senior years.

However, according to Loo Mei Fong, senior nutritionist with Dutch Lady Milk Industries, the trend is lower in Malaysia compared with other Asian countries.

“According to a recent Dutch Lady study, Malaysia's milk consumption is lower compared with other Asian countries. In 2010, Malaysia's per capita consumption was 4.1 litres, while countries like Vietnam were consuming more than 7 litres,” says Loo.

While this pattern is not something new, Loo says that parents should be concerned that their children are not drinking enough milk and getting the nutrients that they could be getting from it.

According to the statistics from the 2003 Malaysian Adult Nutrition Survey (MANS), Malaysians are only taking 0.14 servings of milk and dairy products a day, which is basically one small glass, as compared to the recommended intake which is 1-3 servings per day.

“That's why we advocate milk consumption habits from young. We need to focus on young children and families because studies show that good habits have to be inculcated from young,” says Loo.

Benefits of milk

Humans need 39 essential nutrients including protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. However, milk itself contains as much as 36 essential nutrients, informs Loo.

Besides being an important source of calcium, milk is also a natural source of macro and micronutrients.

“Drinking milk daily ensures children get all the essential nutrients for their physical and mental development. Milk also acts as a healthy beverage as compared to soft drinks or sweetened beverages to replenish the fluid requirements of children,” adds Loo.

She explains that although, families can also get their calcium from cheese and yoghurt, milk is much more nutritious. Besides, the cheese and yoghurt penetration rate in Malaysia is even lower than that of milk. More families are likely to drink milk than take cheese and yoghurt.

Paediatrician Dr Tan Han Tiong agrees, saying that among the consequences of insufficient milk consumption during the growing years is the increased risk of rickets. Rickets is a bone-softening disease that causes poor growth, bow legs and sometimes even muscle pain and weakness. It is caused by a deficiency in calcium and Vitamin D.

“Children who are drinking less milk, and (taking) more fizzy drinks, and getting less exercise are reported to be more prone to fractures, especially in the forearm due to decreased bone mass.

“In addition, teenagers, especially girls, whose diet doesn't provide the nutrients to build bones to their maximum potential are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis later in life. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become less dense and more prone to fractures. It has been called the 'paediatric disease with geriatric consequences'.”

According to Loo, the recommended daily intake of milk and dairy products is:

Children aged 2-4 years – 3 servings;
Children aged 4-6 years – 2 servings; and
Everyone else – 1-3 servings.

Milk options

If a child or teenager is reluctant to drink milk because they think they are too big and milk is only for small children, Loo recommends trying out the various flavoured milks available.

Parents who don't want to opt for packet milk drinks can always make their own smoothies and milkshakes by mixing milk with fruits and blending the mixture.

“Sometimes when children go to primary school, they feel they are older now and ask not to drink milk anymore. I think the parents need to continue giving their children milk. To do that, parents also need to drink milk to be a good role model for their kids. When children see their parents drinking milk, they will want to drink it, too. It's very difficult to ask the kids to drink milk, when the parents themselves don't do it,” says Loo.

As for children and adults who are lactose intolerant, Loo recommends helping the body adapt to taking milk. According to her, lactose intolerance is actually common among Asians. She says that generally over 90% of Asians have some degree of lactose intolerance.

The solution is not to eliminate milk and dairy products completely from a child or adult's diet.

“Lactose intolerance is generally the result of lactase deficiency. When a child is lactose intolerant it may manifest in symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. There is no way to make our body produce more lactase. However, we can train our body by drinking milk in small portions and gradually increasing the portions.

“All of us may be lactase deficient to a certain extent. So, maybe you cannot tolerate one packet of milk, but you might try with just half a packet. If you can tolerate it, then slowly increase the amount of milk.

“For most people this will work unless you have cow's milk allergy, in which case you can't even take ice-cream. In that situation, a lot of foods will have to be avoided, but cow's milk allergy is quite rare,” explains Loo.