Children eating full-fat milk every day does not cause obesity, as is rumored.

A new study from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden revealed that eight-year-olds who drank whole milk daily had a lower BMI than those who drank the low-fat quality. Hence, their average weight is less than the other children by about four kilograms.

Food experts believe that children who do not drink whole milk may be fatter because they rely on soft drinks as an alternative.

“It may be true that children who drink whole milk also tend to eat other things that affect their weight,” said study author and nutrition expert Susan Erickson. “Another possible explanation is that children who don’t drink whole milk drink more fruit juices instead.” The researchers also discovered a discrepancy between overweight children who ate whole milk daily and those who did not. Children who eat 3% fat milk will have less excess weight but eat more saturated fat than is recommended. The study – which was conducted on 120 children at the age of eight – also showed that about two-thirds of the children had low levels of vitamin D in their blood.