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DENVER — Obesity rates are rising among children and adults.

The Centers For Disease Control reports that nearly 10 percent of the population has diabetes.

Medical experts say everyone, regardless of age, should focus on eating a healthy diet low in starchy carbs and sugar and get 30 minutes of exercise at least four times a week.

If you want to cut back on the calories it’s a good idea to avoid whole milk.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association says milk isn’t the only way to keep bones strong.

Usually there is a concern about whether children should be given alternatives to milk.  Health experts say there are other options that provide plenty of calcium and vitamin D that have lower amounts of fat and calories.

Dr. Eric Gomer of Next Care Urgent Care explains, “Fortified soy milk or almond milk is one source. Vegetables have calcium,  you can see that in green leafy vegetables especially.”

It is important for children and adults to have alternatives to milk, especially considering three-fourths of the world’s population is lactose intolerant and can’t digest the sugar found in dairy products.  Health experts say if you don’t want to give up milk, go for 2% or skim varieties that  have less fat.