Appropriateness of milk use in international supplementary feeding programs

Recognition of lactose intolerance, debate over the limitedness of dietary energy and protein in specific settings, and the appreciation for the uniqueness and appropriateness of human milk during the 1st yr of life have prompted reexamination of the use of milk in international feeding programs. Substantial proportions of preschool and school-age children from expected populations are lactose intolerant. However, studies in this county indicate that lactose intolerant preschool and early school-age children can tolerate amounts of milk usually consumed. Older individuals with symptomatic responses to milk also will often have similarly mild symptomatic responses to hydrolyzed lactose milk. Appropriately controlled studies in developing countries are planned or are underway to assess milk tolerance. In feeding programs designed to provide a protein supplement, milk continues to be a very attractive option. The question of how much milk protein must be given and how often it should be provided to make a significant impact on a population's well-being depends on an evaluation of the data base describing protein intakes and needs for specific populations. These types of data for most populations are inadequate.