The aim of this thesis was to determine the synergistic effect of milk and exercise to: promote fat loss while maintaining protein balance and muscle; improve cardiovascular fitness and strength; and to evaluate the short-term adaptations of the inflammatory system and metabolic risk factors in overweight adolescents (boys ages 11-15 years, girls ages 9 to 13 years). A 7-day dietary intervention with 1-h intense exercise was used with randomization to milk (MILK: n=26, 8 male, 18 female) or carbohydrate beverage (CONT; n=29, 12 male, 17 female) post exercise. Both groups received a diet based on their resting energy expenditure. To determine whole body protein balance (WBPB), participants consumed 15N-glycine. Subjects performed a maximal cycling test to determine changes in power and 1-repetition maximum testing to determine changes in strength. Blood was taken to evaluate glucose and insulin; tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 and c-reactive protein ; and blood pressure was measured pre and post intervention. Although body weights did not change, the MILK group maintained more muscle (-0.2 ± 0.6 vs. -0.7 ± 0.8 kg, p