Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that obesity continues to be a major health concern in the United States with nearly 70 percent of adults and more than 1/3 of children and adolescents being classified as either overweight or obese. 

The rapid rise in obesity is disconcerting because obesity is associated with the regulation of blood pressure, inflammation, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, which can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases. Research continues to examine the role of specific foods, nutrients or dietary components that can reduce the health and economic burden associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. 

A body of scientific evidence indicates that the consumption of dairy products and ingredients is beneficially associated with body weight, body composition and metabolic health. To expand our understanding of the role of dairy in maintaining health, the Dairy Research Institute continues to investigate the relationship between adequate dairy consumption on body weight, body composition, metabolic health and bone health across the life span.