A new study suggests a teenage male's consumption of milk may increase their risk of hip fractures as an adult later on, according to a press release.

"Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommends the consumption of three cups of milk or equivalent dairy foods per day to promote maximal bone mass in adolescents. In this investigation, higher milk consumption at this age did not translate into a lower risk of hip fracture for older adults, and a positive association was observed among men," researchers stated in the study.

Though the regular consumption of milk is recommended for youths due to its benefits for early bone development, but no established correlation between milk and hip fractures later on in males.

"Drinking more milk is associated with attaining greater height, which is a risk factor for hip fracture, according to the study background," according to the news release.

Diane Feskanich, Sc.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, and her colleagues led the study, which was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. 

Researchers studied the data from more than 96,000 men and women, following up after more than 22 years.  The follow-ups showed 1,226 hip fractures were reported by women and 490 by men. 

"We did not see an increased risk of hip fracture with teenage milk consumption in women as we did in men. One explanation may be the competing benefit of an increase in bone mass with an adverse effect of greater height. Women are at higher risk for osteoporosis than men, hence the benefit of greater bone mass balanced the increased risk related to height," the authors said in a news release.

However, Connie M. Weaver, Ph.D., of Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., wrote a related editorial based on the researchers findings, suggesting the scientists should have studied other foods consumed by the volunteers.

"The investigators could have tested the contribution of other dietary protein sources (eggs, meat) to height and subsequent fracture risk to help confirm the impact of dietary protein more generally," Weaver said in a news release.

"Practically speaking, does the study by Feskanich and colleagues offer a solution to osteoporosis? Without dairy, dietary quality is compromised. If milk intake in teens contributes to height, and therefore fracture risk in older men, who among men aspire to be shorter?" Weaver added.