Adolescence is a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood (13–19 y) characterised by marked physical development, growing independence and changes toward dietary habits⁽Reference Alberga, Sigal, Goldfield, Prud' homme and Kenny¹⁾ that may ultimately persist into adulthood⁽Reference Hallal, Victora, Azevedo and Wells²⁾. National dietary surveys typically rely on estimated data collection methods and have shown a decline in dairy consumption with increasing age⁽Reference Bates, Lennonx, Prentice, Bates and Swan³⁾. Yet, the broad age range (4–10 y; 11–18 y) categories make it difficult to differentiate between consumption in children and adolescents. Consequently, there is a need to assess dairy consumption in children and adolescents, using more finite age boundaries and more robust dietary assessment tools. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare habitual dairy intake of 9–11 y children [n = 40; mass 33·5 (7·46 kg); BMI 16·8 (3·1 kg/m²)] and 15–18 y adolescents [n = 35; mass 66·2 (15·1 kg); BMI 22·6 (3·5 kg/m²)] using these methods. Subsequently, dietary data was assessed using a combined self-report weighed food record and 24 h dietary recalls, over four consecutive days, (two weekdays and two weekend days). Self-reported dietary habits were extrapolated to determine habitual dairy food consumption (types, amounts and frequencies) and was analysed for differences using a between-group 2 × 2 (age x sex) ANOVA (table 1).

Table 1. Values are presented according to age and sex and displayed as means [SD].

Descriptive data suggested that milk was the most popular dairy product consumed by both children and adolescents. Statistical analysis revealed a main effect for sex on total milk (mL) (F_1,71 = 7·07, p = 0·010) and number of daily milk portions (F_1,71 = 6·79, p = 0·011). There was no interaction or main effect for any other variable. These data suggest that independent of age, boys consume greater amounts of milk compared to girls. In contrast to existing evidence⁽Reference Bates, Lennonx, Prentice, Bates and Swan³⁾, the findings of the present study would suggest no difference in dairy consumption between children and adolescents. With the exception of boys (9–11 y), total daily portions of dairy are on the lower boundary of the 2–3 recommended servings per day⁽Reference Da Silva and Rudkowska⁴⁾, providing evidence to support increasing dairy intake in both children and adolescents.