FOOD SCIENCE, NUTRITION AND HUMAN HEALTH 2024-2026 MILK-TOT: COMPARISON OF
WHOLE VS 1% MILK IN TODDLERS, EVALUATION OF THE MICROBIOME* RESEARCHER: Dr. Lorrene Ritchie, UC ANR 2026 Project Budget: $113,337 This project expands and adds a component to an
ongoing (NIH-funded) randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of milk type (whole vs. 1%) on health outcomes in children aged 2–3. By integrating gut microbiome analysis, it seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how milk fat influences adiposity, diet, vitamin D status, cardiometabolic health, and neurocognitive development. PROJECT GOALS: • Inform organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on optimal milk choices for young children. • Support evidence-based recommendations for healthcare practitioners, potentially influencing the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. • Encourage consumption of California dairy products through their inclusion in federal nutrition programs. • Provide novel insights into the gut microbiome’s role in child health and nutrition. This project is 50% co-funded in partnership with Dairy Council of California. CO- FUNDED
CDRF 2026 Proposed Projects and Budget Request
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