According to Gram Research analysis, urban schoolchildren in Morocco grow significantly taller than peri-urban children, but they also develop more belly fat despite higher milk consumption. A 2025 cross-sectional study of 248 children found that city kids had better height-for-age measurements but higher waist-to-height ratios, suggesting that urbanization improves growth but increases obesity risk. Taste preference, not nutrition knowledge, drives dairy choices in both settings, and the relationship between milk intake and growth becomes weaker after accounting for family income and parental education.
A Gram Research analysis of 248 schoolchildren in Morocco found that kids living in cities drink more milk and grow taller than those in surrounding areas, but they’re also more likely to gain weight around their bellies. The study looked at what dairy products kids eat, why they choose them, and how this affects their growth and health. Researchers discovered that taste preference drives dairy choices more than nutrition knowledge, and that where you live—city versus countryside—makes a big difference in how milk affects your body. This research highlights how developing countries face a tricky problem: some kids aren’t growing enough while others are gaining unhealthy weight, sometimes in the same community.
Key Statistics
A 2025 cross-sectional study of 248 Moroccan schoolchildren found that urban children were significantly taller than peri-urban children (0.19 versus -0.43 on standardized growth scales, p<0.001), but also had higher waist-to-height ratios indicating more belly fat (0.48 versus 0.46, p=0.006).
Among 248 schoolchildren in northwestern Morocco, 33.9% reported high consumption of liquid milk and 56.5% reported moderate consumption, making it by far the most popular dairy product, while traditional products like Lben and Jben were consumed much less frequently.
In a 2025 study of 248 Moroccan children, taste preference was the dominant motivation for dairy consumption across both urban and peri-urban areas, mentioned far more frequently than health or nutritional benefits.
A 2025 analysis of 248 Moroccan schoolchildren revealed that parental education level showed a significant relationship with children’s height (p<0.001), suggesting socioeconomic factors may matter more than dairy intake alone for growth outcomes.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How often schoolchildren in Morocco drink milk and eat dairy products, and whether this affects how tall they grow and how much they weigh.
- Who participated: 248 children ages 7-14 attending public schools in Kenitra province, northwestern Morocco. About half lived in cities, and half lived in surrounding areas. The study took place from January to June 2025.
- Key finding: Urban children were significantly taller than peri-urban children (0.19 vs. -0.43 on a growth scale), and they had more belly fat. Liquid milk was the most popular dairy product, with 34% of kids drinking it frequently and 57% drinking it moderately.
- What it means for you: If you live in a developing country experiencing rapid urbanization, your location affects how milk impacts your growth and weight. While milk helps kids grow taller in cities, it doesn’t automatically prevent weight gain around the midsection. A balanced diet and physical activity matter just as much as dairy intake.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of 248 children at one point in time rather than following them over years. The children attended public schools in both urban (city) and peri-urban (areas surrounding cities) locations in northwestern Morocco. Researchers asked children and their families about dairy consumption using a Food Frequency Questionnaire—basically a detailed survey about what foods they eat and how often.
To measure nutritional status, researchers took physical measurements: height, weight, and waist circumference. They converted these measurements into standardized scores that let them compare children fairly regardless of age. The researchers also collected information about family income, parents’ education level, and other factors that might influence what kids eat and how they grow.
The study was part of a larger project called SUPREM-MILK, which focuses on understanding milk consumption patterns in developing countries. By comparing urban and peri-urban children, the researchers could see how living environment affects both dairy intake and health outcomes.
This research approach matters because it captures real-world eating patterns in a specific community during a time of rapid change. Morocco, like many developing countries, is experiencing a ’nutritional transition’—a shift from traditional diets to more modern eating patterns. By studying children in both urban and peri-urban areas, researchers could identify how location influences both what kids eat and their health. This type of data is crucial for designing public health programs that actually work in specific communities rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.
The study’s strengths include its focus on a real community during an important time of dietary change, and its measurement of actual physical growth rather than just asking about health. The researchers collected detailed information about multiple factors that influence nutrition. However, the study only captured one moment in time, so we can’t prove that dairy consumption directly causes the growth differences observed. The study was also limited to one region of Morocco, so results may not apply to other parts of the country or other developing nations. Additionally, the study didn’t find a direct link between dairy consumption and growth after accounting for other factors like family income and parental education, suggesting the relationship is more complex than it first appears.
What the Results Show
Urban children showed significantly better height-for-age measurements compared to peri-urban children (0.19 versus -0.43 on a standardized scale, p<0.001). This means city kids were, on average, taller than expected for their age, while peri-urban kids were shorter than expected. However, urban children also had higher waist-to-height ratios (0.48 versus 0.46, p=0.006), indicating more belly fat relative to their height—a concerning pattern even in children.
Regarding dairy consumption patterns, liquid milk was by far the most popular dairy product: 33.9% of children reported high consumption and 56.5% reported moderate consumption. Traditional Moroccan dairy products like Lben (fermented milk) and Jben (fresh cheese) were consumed much less frequently. Taste preference was the dominant reason children chose dairy products across both urban and peri-urban settings, mentioned far more often than nutrition or health benefits.
Interestingly, after researchers adjusted their analysis to account for family income, parental education, and other factors, the direct connection between dairy consumption frequency and growth outcomes became weaker. This suggests that socioeconomic factors—how much money families have and parents’ education level—may be more important than dairy intake alone in determining how children grow.
Parental education level showed a significant relationship with children’s height (p<0.001), suggesting that more educated parents may provide better overall nutrition or healthcare. Family income and place of residence (urban versus peri-urban) were also significantly associated with children’s growth patterns. The study found no significant gender differences in dairy consumption or nutritional outcomes, meaning boys and girls had similar patterns. The research also revealed that children’s motivations for eating dairy were remarkably consistent between urban and peri-urban areas—taste was the primary driver everywhere, not health awareness or nutritional knowledge.
This study adds important context to existing research on dairy and child growth in developing countries. While previous studies have shown that dairy products support growth through their nutrient content, this research reveals that the relationship is more complicated in real-world settings. The finding that urbanization improves height but increases belly fat aligns with broader research on the ‘double burden of malnutrition’—where developing countries simultaneously face stunting (too-short growth) and obesity. The emphasis on taste preference over nutrition knowledge matches patterns seen in other developing countries undergoing dietary transitions, where traditional foods are being replaced by modern products based on flavor rather than health value.
This study has several important limitations. First, it only captured one moment in time, so we cannot prove that dairy consumption causes the growth differences—only that they occur together. Second, the study included only 248 children from one region of Morocco, so results may not apply to other Moroccan regions or other countries. Third, the researchers relied on parents’ and children’s recall of food consumption, which may not be perfectly accurate. Fourth, the study did not find a direct link between dairy consumption and growth after accounting for other factors, suggesting that socioeconomic factors may matter more than dairy intake itself. Finally, the study measured consumption frequency but not actual quantities consumed, so we don’t know if ‘high consumption’ means one glass per week or several per day.
The Bottom Line
Based on this research, public health efforts in developing countries should take different approaches for urban versus peri-urban areas. In urban settings where children are growing taller but gaining belly fat, the focus should be on promoting balanced diets that include physical activity and portion control, not just increasing dairy intake. In peri-urban areas where children show stunted growth, efforts should emphasize dietary diversity and ensuring adequate nutrition across all food groups. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows the relationship between dairy and growth is complex and influenced by many factors beyond just milk consumption. Any changes should be paired with education about nutrition, not just food promotion.
Parents and educators in developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization should pay attention to these findings. Public health officials designing nutrition programs in Morocco and similar countries should use this research to create location-specific strategies. Children in peri-urban areas may benefit most from dietary improvements, while urban children may need guidance on balanced eating and physical activity. However, these findings are most relevant to communities similar to northwestern Morocco—developing countries with mixed urban and rural populations. Developed countries with established food systems may not see the same patterns.
Changes in children’s growth patterns typically take months to years to become visible. If dietary improvements are made, you might expect to see changes in growth rate within 6-12 months and more substantial differences within 2-3 years. Weight changes, particularly around the belly, may be noticeable within weeks to months if diet and activity levels change significantly. However, because growth is influenced by many factors beyond diet, improvements may be gradual and require sustained effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking more milk make kids grow taller in developing countries?
Milk supports growth, but the relationship is complex. A 2025 study of 248 Moroccan children found that urban kids drank more milk and grew taller, but this connection weakened after accounting for family income and parental education, suggesting socioeconomic factors matter more than milk alone.
Why do city kids in Morocco gain more belly fat even though they drink more milk?
The 2025 study found urban children had higher waist-to-height ratios (0.48 versus 0.46) despite better overall growth, indicating that urbanization brings dietary changes beyond just dairy—likely including more processed foods and less physical activity—that increase belly fat risk.
What dairy products do children in Morocco actually eat?
Liquid milk dominates: 34% of 248 Moroccan children reported high consumption and 57% moderate consumption. Traditional products like Lben (fermented milk) and Jben (fresh cheese) were consumed much less frequently, primarily because children prefer the taste of regular milk.
How can parents improve their child’s nutrition in areas with stunted growth?
The 2025 research suggests focusing on dietary diversity rather than just dairy intake. In peri-urban areas with growth problems, increasing variety across all food groups—not just milk—appears more important than dairy consumption alone for supporting healthy development.
Is belly fat in children who drink milk a concern?
Yes. The 2025 study found that even growing children can develop unhealthy belly fat patterns. Urban Moroccan children showed better height but increased abdominal obesity, suggesting that growth and healthy weight distribution require balanced nutrition and physical activity, not just dairy intake.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily dairy consumption by type (liquid milk, yogurt, cheese, traditional products) and quantity in milliliters or servings. Also monitor waist circumference monthly and height every 3 months to see if dietary changes correlate with growth patterns. Include notes about taste preferences and motivations for food choices to understand what drives consumption.
- Users can set a goal to diversify dairy sources beyond just liquid milk, incorporating traditional or local dairy products based on taste preferences identified in the study. For urban users, the app could suggest balanced meal combinations that include dairy but also emphasize vegetables and physical activity. For peri-urban users, the app could recommend ways to increase overall dietary diversity, not just dairy intake.
- Establish a baseline of current dairy consumption and growth measurements (height, weight, waist circumference). Track these metrics monthly alongside dietary changes. Create alerts if waist-to-height ratio increases disproportionately to height gain, which would indicate unhealthy weight gain. Compare progress between seasons to account for natural variations in growth and activity levels.
This research describes patterns observed in a specific population of Moroccan schoolchildren and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individual children’s nutritional needs vary based on age, activity level, health status, and other factors. Parents and caregivers should consult with healthcare providers or registered dietitians for personalized nutrition guidance. This study shows associations between variables but does not prove that dairy consumption directly causes growth differences. The findings are most relevant to developing countries experiencing rapid urbanization and may not apply to other populations. Any significant changes to a child’s diet should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.