Fraga has a niece and nephew who drink more than three servings of whole milk each day.

"And they're not obese at all," said Fraga, 39.

Fraga is among parents, educators and health officials who are reacting and

responding to a study that concluded that children who drink more than three eight-ounce servings of milk a day are about 35 percent more likely to become overweight than those who drink one or two.

The study of more than 12,000 children nationwide found that the more milk they drank, the more weight each gained — regardless of the milk's fat content. The findings are published in the June issue of the journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

The new study won't affect meals served at public schools statewide, or the state Department of Health's push to have residents switch to low-fat milk, state officials said.

"Milk as a food product is economical, it's a readily available source of protein, one of the best sources of calcium and other nutrients," said state health director Dr. Chiyome Leinaala Fukino. "So it's not like you want to say, 'You don't want to drink any of it at all,' and I think that's what the backlash of this (may be)."

Students have been cutting back on milk in recent years, according to a Hawai'i School Health Survey. The survey of high school students statewide, conducted by the health department from 1999 to 2003, showed the proportion of students drinking three or more glasses of milk a day in a week decreased from 15.4 percent in 1999 to 9.8 percent in 2003.

The same survey showed 9 percent of students were obese or overweight in 1999, compared to 13.2 percent in 2003.

"So even though our milk consumption is going down, our weight appears to be going up," , Fukino said. "... I think there's a lot about the (national) study that needs to be evaluated."

Weight gain happens in any case in which excessive calories are consumed, said Deanna Moncrief, a nutritionist with Pacific Nutrition Specialists and a state Department of Education consultant.

"If (children) ... ate too many bananas and they were in excess of their calorie requirements per day, they would gain weight," Moncrief said. "Same with anything else, even if it is fat-free."

At Holomua Elementary school, fifth grader Robey Phillips checks the cafeteria's milk supplies which are served at breakfast and lunch. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

About 16 percent of those ages 6 to 19 are overweight, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Still, the findings wouldn't quickly change what public school lunch is chosen to be served to students statewide, said Gene Kaneshiro, director of the school food services branch in the DOE.

Public schools serve eight-ounce cartons of either 1-percent white or skim chocolate milk for breakfast and lunch; some schools still serve whole milk, Kaneshiro said.

"To not serve milk would go strictly against the USDA's regulations," said Kaneshiro. "... We have to continue serving milk, No. 1, so we're going to try to make it as healthy as we can by reducing fat."

And the health department, which campaigned last year to encourage Hawai'i households to drink low-fat milk, will continue its efforts, Fukino said.

"We're still going to recommend that people switch to 1-percent or less," she said. "That's a good, healthy approach."

Eliza Shumway, 33, of 'Ewa Beach, also isn't too concerned about the national study. Her three grade-school children drink just a glass of 2-percent milk each day for breakfast at home, and either 1-percent white or skim chocolate milk for lunch at school.

"They're fine, they're not big, they're not fat, they're not overweight," Shumway said. "... I'll keep on doing what I normally do because it's working for me, and I don't see any problems with it right now."

A healthy lifestyle comes down to being mindful not only of your diet, but how much exercise you get, as well, Fukino said.

"It's actually moderation and wisdom in all things," Fukino said. "You've got to use wisdom and judgment in how you approach being a healthy individual."