Hong Kong people are drinking more milk amid an aggressive marketing campaign promoting it as a health drink.
But nutritionists fear the trend could lead to more obesity and diabetes.
A study by market research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres found nearly three out of four households bought fresh or long-life milk in the fourth quarter of last year, compared with 65 per cent in the same quarter in 2001.
There was also a jump in sales of other dairy products, with the percentage of households buying yoghurt rising from 15.4 to 19.5 per cent.
The research firm's spokeswoman, Helen Passingham-Hughes, said: 'The younger generation of Asians seems to recognise the health benefits of dairy products and are changing their eating habits. Asian mothers, in particular Chinese, appear to want these benefits.'
But dietician Ng Ty-son warned the switch carried risks. 'Milk is not the panacea to health problems, but it provides all the proteins we need,' he said.
'People who indulge in unhealthy diets always want to relieve their guilty conscience and now they are chasing after all kinds of milk, from low-fat to high-calcium, before or after they go for another feast of junk food.
