BabyGro Infant Feeding Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Lower Protein Intake and Long-term Risk of Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease; A Multi-centred Randomised Controlled Trial
IRAS ID
209276
Contact name
Atul Singhal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Institute of Child Health
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Rapid weight gain in infancy increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular risk factors later in life. Research suggests that breastfeeding protects against this increase. The most likely reason is the lower protein content of human milk than formula milk. Breast-fed babies have less body fat than formula-fed babies, probably as a result of slower early growth.
The effects of early growth patterns on later cardiovascular risk factors have been demonstrated in 5 randomized controlled trials. This type of research can show a causal link between early growth and later health independent of possible confounding factors. Babies in these trials were randomized (chosen by chance) to receive infant formulas with varied protein levels from early infancy. The studies found that babies given formulas with a lower protein content had a slower growth pattern and a lower risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease.
The research was done in small numbers of babies from differing populations. Three trials included only babies born small for gestational age, one trial compared high protein with standard protein formula, and a third was carried out in Chile in babies of mothers who were already overweight. Therefore the wider relevance of this research, for example, for term babies in the UK, is uncertain.
To understand this better, we need to study the effects of a lower protein formula (more like breast milk) on long-term risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease in a larger group of healthy term babies. Such research will help establish the effects of slower growth/lower protein intake on obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved, and will enable us to estimate the impact of infant nutrition on long-term health. Therefore, the study will help inform public health advice on infant feeding and the composition of infant formula.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1416
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion