Conclusions : Yoghurt consumption is associated with lower body mass index , lower body weight/weight gain , smaller waist circumference and lower body fat in epidemiological studies .
RCTs suggest weight reduction effects , but do not permit determination of a cause – effect relationship .
Well-controlled , adequately powered trials in research and community setting s appear likely to identify a modest but beneficial effect of yoghurt consumption for prevention of weight gain and management of obesity .
The ready availability of yoghurt ( a nutrient-dense food ) and its ease of introduction to most diets suggests that educating the public to eat yoghurt as part of a balanced and healthy diet may potentially contribute to improved public health .
Future carefully design ed RCTs could provide proof of principle and large community-based studies could determine the practical impact of yoghurt on body weight/composition
Background : Yoghurt is part of the diet of many people worldwide and is commonly recognised as a ‘ health food ’ .
Epidemiological studies suggest that yoghurt may be useful as part of weight management programs .
In the absence of comprehensive systematic review s , this systematic review investigated the effect of yoghurt consumption by apparently healthy adults on weight-related outcomes .
Impact of micronutrient fortification of yoghurt on micronutrient status markers and growth – a randomized double blind controlled trial among school children in Bangladesh
Background Interventions providing foods fortified with multiple micronutrients can be a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to improve micronutrient status and physical growth of school children . We evaluated the effect of micronutrient-fortified yoghurt on the biochemical status of important micronutrients ( iron , zinc , iodine , vitamin A ) as well as growth indicators among school children in Bogra district of Bangladesh . Methods In a double-masked r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) conducted in 4 primary schools , 1010 children from classes 1–4 ( age 6–9 years ) were r and omly allocated to receive either micronutrient fortified yoghurt ( FY , n = 501 ) or non-fortified yoghurt ( NFY , n = 509 ) . For one year , children were fed with 60 g yoghurt everyday providing 30 % RDA for iron , zinc , iodine and vitamin A.  Anthropometric measurements and blood/urine sample s were collected at base- , mid- and end-line . All children ( FY , n = 278 , NFY , n = 293 ) consenting for the end-line blood sample were included in the present analyses . Results Both groups were comparable at baseline for socio-economic status variables , micronutrient status markers and anthropometry measures . Compliance was similar in both the groups . At baseline 53.4 % of the population was anemic ; 2.1 % was iron deficient ( ferritin < 15.0 μg/L and TfR > 8.3 mg/L ) . Children in the FY group showed improvement in Hb ( mean difference : 1.5 ; 95 % CI : 0.4 - 2.5 ; p = 0.006 ) as compared to NFY group . Retinol binding protein ( mean diff : 0.05 ; 95 % CI : 0.002 - 0.09 ; p = 0.04 ) and iodine levels ( mean difference : 39.87 ; 95 % CI : 20.39 - 59.35 ; p < 0.001 ) decreased between base and end-line but the decrease was significantly less in the FY group . Compared to NFY , the FY group had better height gain velocity ( mean diff : 0.32 ; 95 % CI : 0.05 - 0.60 ; p = 0.02 ) and height-for-age z-scores ( mean diff : 0.18 ; 95 % CI : 0.02 - 0.33 ; p = 0.03 ) . There was no difference in weight gain velocity , weight-for-age z-scores or Body Mass Index z-scores . Conclusion In the absence of iron deficiency at baseline the impact on iron status would not be expected to be observed and hence can not be evaluated . Improved Hb concentrations in the absence of a change in iron status suggest improved utilization of iron possibly due to vitamin A and zinc availability . Fortification improved height gain without affecting weight gain . Trial registration Clinical Trial.gov :
Conclusions : Yoghurt consumption is associated with lower body mass index , lower body weight/weight gain , smaller waist circumference and lower body fat in epidemiological studies .
RCTs suggest weight reduction effects , but do not permit determination of a cause – effect relationship .
Well-controlled , adequately powered trials in research and community setting s appear likely to identify a modest but beneficial effect of yoghurt consumption for prevention of weight gain and management of obesity .
The ready availability of yoghurt ( a nutrient-dense food ) and its ease of introduction to most diets suggests that educating the public to eat yoghurt as part of a balanced and healthy diet may potentially contribute to improved public health .
Future carefully design ed RCTs could provide proof of principle and large community-based studies could determine the practical impact of yoghurt on body weight/composition
Background : Yoghurt is part of the diet of many people worldwide and is commonly recognised as a ‘ health food ’ .
Epidemiological studies suggest that yoghurt may be useful as part of weight management programs .
In the absence of comprehensive systematic review s , this systematic review investigated the effect of yoghurt consumption by apparently healthy adults on weight-related outcomes .