Nutrient and Immunity Status in Children Aged 3-5 Years Consuming Their Habitual Diet With or Without Fortified Milk

This study compares the status of key micronutrients (vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc) in young children given investigational fortified milk versus young children consuming their habitual pattern of beverage intake (milk and non-milk beverages).

Hypothesis that Vitamin A, C, D, E and zinc status of children consuming 2 servings / day of fortified milk for 16 weeks will be better than those of children consuming their habitual pattern of beverage intake (milk and non-milk beverages, juices, sugar-sweetened drinks) for the same duration. This is based on previous study findings that (i) the toddler's and preschooler's diet, in reality, are often not optimal, putting toddlers and preschool age children at risk of insufficient intakes of several nutrients, and (ii) consuming fortified milk supplemented with these nutrients might provide optimal intakes of these nutrients.