Efforts to boost the growth of small babies with enriched formula milk may only lead to them accumulating fat as children, researchers have warned.
The findings deal a fresh blow to the use of formula milk – and may lead to renewed efforts to build breast-milk banks for premature babies.
Researchers at University College, London, UK, said the conclusions were "robust", based on analysis of two trials which assigned babies at random to nutritionally enhanced formula milk.
These showed that between the ages of five and eight children fed with enriched milk had up to 28 per cent more body fat than others, according to the report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researcher Professor Atul Singhal said: "This study robustly demonstrates a link between early nutrition and having more fat in later life in humans – a finding suggested by previous studies and confirmed in many other animals.
"Our findings are strong, consistent, show a dose-response effect, and are biologically plausible. Immediately, it raises the issue about the best way to feed those children small for gestational age, which should now be evaluated in the light of all current evidence.
"In public health terms, it supports the case in the general population for breastfeeding – since it is harder to overfeed a breastfed baby. And it will undoubtedly be of interest to formula milk companies wishing to improve their products."
"Nutrition in Infancy and Long-term Risk of Obesity: Evidence from Two Randomised Controlled Trials." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 30 September 2010
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