How Dairy and Exercise Together Support Muscle and Bone Health in Young Women

Project Overview 

Maintaining strong muscles and bones in early adulthood is key to preventing frailty and disability later in life. This is especially important for young women with obesity, who may be at higher risk of faster muscle and bone loss. While both dairy products and exercise have proven benefits for strength and bone health, we don’t fully understand how they work together. This study will test whether eating more dairy during strength training leads to better muscle and bone gains—and whether it also helps people feel fuller. The results could inform new strategies for building lifelong strength and resilience. 

What Will the Research Team Do? 

The research team will study how different levels of dairy intake affect muscle and bone health during a 16-week strength training program in young women with obesity. The primary objectives of this work are to: 

• Test if eating more dairy improves strength, muscle growth, and bone development during exercise. 
• Explore whether dairy boosts the biological signals that help muscles and bones communicate. 
• Assess how dairy affects appetite, weight, and body fat during the program.