Funding outcome

Until recently, increasing dairy, particularly milk, has been a prominent dietary recommendation for most pregnant and lactating women in Canada. Preliminary data from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study has found that milk is one of the foods that women reported increasing when they became pregnant. Milk and dairy foods are a major source of key nutrients including protein, calcium and various vitamins such as Vitamin A and the B Vitamins, which are essential for proper fetal development and continued health across the lifespan. However, recommendations for milk and dairy products are largely absent from the new Canadian Food Guide. It is therefore critical to determine the contribution of milk and total dairy intake by women during pregnancy and lactation on maternal, infant and child health to evaluate its nutritional importance during these periods. APrON is a prospective cohort study which followed the nutritional, physical and developmental status of approximately 2200 pregnant women and their infants from Alberta. Dr. Field's lab is responsible for conducting analyses to examine how milk and dairy intake throughout pregnancy impacts maternal, infant and child health. The objective of the proposed summer studentship at the University of Alberta's Li Ka Shing Centre of Health Research Innovation is to explore the relationship between fluid milk and total dairy intake and maternal health, infant growth and child growth including brain development, with an emphasis on the cognitive and behavioural development of children aged 2-5 years old. The findings will be important to the dairy industry, health professionals and expecting parents to ensure that dairy continues to be recommended as part of a healthy diet during pregnancy and lactation. Health Canada may consider these findings in making specific recommendations for foods that should be consumed during pregnancy and lactation.