Early milk intake, later bone health: results from using the milk history questionnaire

Milk intake is considered an important determinant of peak bone mass; consequently, its intake early in life may decrease risk of osteoporotic fractures later. Using the milk history questionnaire, many investigators have conducted retrospective cross-sectional studies and have determined a positive effect of milk intake in childhood and adolescence on bone mineral density in adult white women. By contrast, a recent study indicates that early milk intake has no beneficial effect on bone mineral density in black women. The milk history questionnaire can assist in determining diet-bone relationships in various groups.