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Dairy Foods Support Public Health Among Hispanic/Latino Americans

The Journal of the National Hispanic Medical Association has published a new narrative review examining the role of dairy foods in supporting the health and well-being of Hispanic/Latino Americans across the lifespan.

The review highlights the potential for nutrient-dense dairy foods, including milk, yogurt, cheese and kefir, to help address nutrient gaps and support health outcomes in a population that experiences disproportionately high rates of food insecurity, obesity, type 2 diabetes and other diet-related health conditions.

"Dairy Foods Support Public Health Among Hispanic/Latino Americans" examines the evidence on dairy consumption across key life stages and identifies strategies to help Hispanic/Latino Americans meet recommended dairy intake as part of an overall balanced, nutrient-dense eating pattern.

Narrative Review

Key Highlights

Dairy Intake Falls Short: Nearly 90% of Hispanic/Latino Americans do not meet recommended dairy intake levels. Average consumption declines with age, ranging from nearly 2 servings per day among children ages 2–8 to about 1 serving per day among adults 71 and older. Improving dairy intake may help address gaps in several essential nutrients.
Nutrient Contributions: Dairy foods provide important nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, magnesium, potassium and high-quality protein. These nutrients are especially important during childhood and adolescence, when nutritional needs support rapid growth and development and the accumulation of bone mass. The review notes that dairy foods can also contribute to food security as affordable, accessible, and convenient sources of essential nutrients.
Health Across the Lifespan: The review examines the potential role of dairy during pregnancy and lactation, early childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood. Adequate dairy intake may support healthy growth and development, bone health, cardiometabolic health, muscle health, and healthy aging.
Addressing Chronic Disease Risk: Hispanic/Latino Americans experience disproportionately high rates of obesity and cardiometabolic conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Evidence reviewed in the article suggests that higher dairy consumption across a range of fat levels is associated with neutral to favorable effects on body weight and cardiometabolic disease risk.
Culturally Relevant Strategies: The authors emphasize the need for evidence-based and personalized approaches to help Hispanic/Latino Americans meet dairy recommendations. For children and families, health professionals can help support dairy intake by incorporating culturally relevant dietary preferences and considering options such as lactose-free and fermented dairy foods when appropriate. Future recommendations may benefit from considering individual preferences, health status, and the types of dairy foods consumed, including lactose-free and fermented options.

Read the full review: Dairy Foods Support Public Health Among Hispanic/Latino Americans, published in the Journal of the National Hispanic Medical Association, 2026;4(1):27–38.

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Dairy Foods Support Public Health Among Hispanic/Latino Americans

Narrative Review

Key Highlights

Dairy Intake Falls Short: Nearly 90% of Hispanic/Latino Americans do not meet recommended dairy intake levels. Average consumption declines with age, ranging from nearly 2 servings per day among children ages 2–8 to about 1 serving per day among adults 71 and older. Improving dairy intake may help address gaps in several essential nutrients.
Nutrient Contributions: Dairy foods provide important nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, magnesium, potassium and high-quality protein. These nutrients are especially important during childhood and adolescence, when nutritional needs support rapid growth and development and the accumulation of bone mass. The review notes that dairy foods can also contribute to food security as affordable, accessible, and convenient sources of essential nutrients.
Health Across the Lifespan: The review examines the potential role of dairy during pregnancy and lactation, early childhood, adolescence, adulthood and older adulthood. Adequate dairy intake may support healthy growth and development, bone health, cardiometabolic health, muscle health, and healthy aging.
Addressing Chronic Disease Risk: Hispanic/Latino Americans experience disproportionately high rates of obesity and cardiometabolic conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Evidence reviewed in the article suggests that higher dairy consumption across a range of fat levels is associated with neutral to favorable effects on body weight and cardiometabolic disease risk.
Culturally Relevant Strategies: The authors emphasize the need for evidence-based and personalized approaches to help Hispanic/Latino Americans meet dairy recommendations. For children and families, health professionals can help support dairy intake by incorporating culturally relevant dietary preferences and considering options such as lactose-free and fermented dairy foods when appropriate. Future recommendations may benefit from considering individual preferences, health status, and the types of dairy foods consumed, including lactose-free and fermented options.

Read the full review: Dairy Foods Support Public Health Among Hispanic/Latino Americans, published in the Journal of the National Hispanic Medical Association, 2026;4(1):27–38.