Introduction
Milk and dairy products contain significant amounts of nutrients that contribute to optimal health – nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and high-quality protein. In this study, we will look at the role of dairy foods on children’s healthy growth and development. While dairy products contain significant amounts of nutrients required for children’s healthy growth and development, we do not know the specific contribution of dairy foods to Canadian children’s growth and development. We also know very little about children’s knowledge and attitudes toward milk and dairy consumption, in addition to facilitators and barriers to consumption. To fill this knowledge gap, we will document milk and dairy product intakes of 5-11-year-old children every 6 months, over a 2.5-year period. Using a novel mixed-method longitudinal study design, we will measure body growth and development in Canadian children. We will also explore barriers and facilitators of dairy consumption. The data will provide valuable information for developing targeted health promotion initiatives and marketing strategies about the benefits of milk and dairy food consumption.
Study Recruitment Poster
About Us:
Vatanparast Nutritional Epidemiology Lab:
Dr. Vatanparast's Nutritional Epidemiology Lab (VNEL) is located in the University of Saskatchewan's College of Pharmacy & Nutrition. The Lab employs undergraduate Nutrition Students, Master of Public Health Students, and Biostatistics students to build capacity in upcoming research professionals. The VNELab focuses on research and health promotion initiatives targeting children's health and chronic disease. Dr. Hassan Vatanparast, the Head of the VNELab, is leading several projects at the local, national and global levels aimed to improve the nutritional health of the general population, newcomers, and Indigenous communities. The VNELab collaborates locally through the College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, School of Public Health, and other organizations, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Who are we?
We are a team of researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and University of Idaho with backgrounds in nutrition, epidemiology, kinesiology, pediatrics, and dentistry who study the role of nutrition (particularly dairy food consumption) and physical activity in optimal growth and development of Canadian children aged 5-11 years.
Team members
Investigators
Dr. Hassan Vatanparast
Hassan Vatanparast is a Professor in the field of nutritional epidemiology at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Adam Baxter Jones
Adam Baxter Jones is a Kinesiology Professor and an associate member of the Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine.
Dr. Marta Erlandson
Marta Erlandson is an Associate Professor in the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan.
Dr. Jess Haines
Jess Haines is a Professor of Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph and the Co-director of the Guelph Family Health Study, a family-based cohort study.
Dr. Ginny Lane
Ginny Lane is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the University of Idaho and a registered dietitian.
Dr. Walter Siqueira
Walter Siqueira is a Professor and Associate Dean (Academic) at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Siqueira is considered an international authority in salivary diagnostics.
Dr. Shiyi Chen
Shiyi Chen is an Assistant Professor at the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho.
Dr. Ling-Ling Tsao
Ling-Ling Tsao an Assistant Professor at the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho.
Dr. Susan Petryk
Susan Petryk, a Regina-based pediatrician with a specialist interest in child development, is also researching the impact of virtual appointments on patient access.
Students
Karim Karbin
Karim Karbin is a PhD student at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition who is assigned to this project.
Mona Alidadi
Mona Alidadi is a PhD student at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition who is assigned to this project.
Dr. Paras Ahmad
Dr. Paras Ahmad is a PhD scholar at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan. His PhD project, in Siqueira's Lab, is based on the role of salivary proteins/peptides in dental caries.
Staff
Mojtaba Shafiee
Mojtaba Shafiee is a PhD candidate at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition and a lab manager at Dr. Vatanparast Nutritional Epidemiology Lab.
Zoe Longworth
Zoe Longworth works for the Vatanparast Nutritional Epidemiology Lab and fills the role of project manager for this project. She has a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and nutraceuticals sciences and a master’s degree in public health.
Funder
USask researchers have been awarded $900,000 by Dairy Farmers of Canada (Dairy Research Cluster 4) and Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada (AAFC) to investigate the role of milk and yogurt supplementation in the development of osteoporosis and obesity.
Partner Organizations
Contact Us:
Health Sciences Bldg
104 Clinic Place
College of Pharmacy & Nutrition
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon SK Canada S7N 2Z4
E-mail: vnel@usask.ca
Website: https://research-groups.usask.ca/vnel/nutrition-and-growth.php
Ph: (306) 966-8866