Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine biochemical characteristics and dietary intake of adolescents aged 12 to 18 year according to intake frequency of milk.

Methods : Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2011) were used for the study. The study examined adolescents’ general characteristics(income level, residence region, skipping or not-skipping in breakfast/lunch/ dinner, eating-out frequency), anthropometric measurement(height, weight, obesity), biochemical characteristics(fasting plasma glucose (FPG), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatine, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, hemoglobin, Hematocrit) and nutrient intakes using Korean dietary reference intakes(KDRI), index of nutrition quality(INQ), nutrition adequacy ratio(NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and dairy food consumption of food group by 3 groups according to intake frequency of milk.
Results : In general characteristics, there were significant different in income level among 3 groups. In Boys, there were differences in average of BUN, KDRI(riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium), INQ(riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus), NAR(riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus), MAR and food consumption of food groups(sugars and sweetners, nuts and seeds, vegetables) among 3 groups. In Girls, there were differences in average of BUN, creatine, HDL-cholesterol, KDRI(protein, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, INQ(riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus), NAR(riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus), MAR and food consumption of food groups(potato and starches) among 3 groups.

Conclusions : As intake frequency of milk increases, Intake of calcium, riboflavin and phosphorus, which are lacking in adolescents, increases. Thus milk is an important source for adolescent growth. Considering the low intake of calcium in adolescents, nutrition education focus not only the nutritional value and health benefits of milk but also good eating habits. Also, nutrition education for parents should be prepared to produce milk consuming environment.