Two studies analyzing NHANES 2001-2008 data examined patterns of breakfast foods consumed in the United States. They highlight the value of breakfast meal patterns that contain higher amounts of milk -- one for children 2-18 years and the other for adults 19-plus years. In the case of both children and adults, eating a breakfast that includes higher amounts of dairy, primarily milk, is associated with a higher total daily intake of dairy foods and higher daily intakes of vitamin D, calcium and potassium -- three of the nutrients of concern for Americans.

Two studies (NHANES 2009-2010) compared beverage habits and their associated calorie and nutrient intakes of young children (<1-5 years) and school-age children (6-17 years) from different race/ethnic backgrounds. They concluded that children of all ages, particularly non-Hispanic black kids, can benefit from drinking milk and reducing their consumption of nutrient-poor beverages to help improve their diet.