A study financed by the EU why bottle-fed children grow faster

A new study funded by the EU shows that breast milk contains less protein than preparations bottle, which may explain why breastfed infants grow more slowly. Scientists say these findings underscore the importance of promoting breastfeeding but also the need for improving the composition of milk powder.

The EU supported this study under the project EARNEST (Early Nutrition programming: long-term efficacy and safety trials and integrated epidemiological, genetic, animal, consumer and economic research '), funded under the thematic area' Quality and safety "of the Sixth Framework Program (FP6), and two previous projects funded under the Fifth Framework Program (FP5).

Several studies have found a relationship between rapid weight gain during early childhood and a tendency to later obesity. Furthermore, we knew that the bottle-fed children grow faster during their first year than those who are breastfed.

Researchers have tried to find out if the quantity of protein in the preparations for bottle could explain these observations. They recruited families who have already chosen bottle feeding, and separated into two groups more than 1,000 children from five countries. One group was fed a preparation rich in protein. The children were weighed and measured at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Their development was compared to that of a third group of children who are exclusively breastfed. The results were published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

After two years, children were bottle fed with a size comparable for both groups, but those fed with the preparation rich in protein were bigger. The similarity of size, which is associated with body mass "thin", prompting researchers to conclude that differences in weight and body index is probably due to the difference in body fat. It is interesting to note that children fed with milk at a lower protein content can be divided in the same weight range as those breastfed.

"The results of the European research program for childhood obesity underscore the importance of promoting and supporting breastfeeding, because of its long-term benefits. They also show the need to continue to improve the composition of infant formula, "says the article's author, Professor Berthold Koletzko, University of Munich in Germany.

"The fact of limiting the amount of protein in infant and young children can normalize the initial growth and contribute greatly to reduce the long-term risk of overweight and childhood obesity," he concludes.

The preparations used for testing were commercially available during the study. The amount of protein remained within the limits set by the EU Directive on infant milks and on. It was in 1970 that preparations for the bottle contained more protein (4 grams per 100 kcal). At the time, those who conceived the formulation wanted above all to ensure that children fed and no shortage of protein. For against, much less concern on the possible effects of overfeeding protein on children.

Since then, the amount of protein in preparations decreased (those used for the study contained 1.77 and 2.9 grams of protein per 100 kcal), but studies show that bottle-fed children continue to receive more protein that those who are breastfed.

The scientists intend to continue the observation of children, whether those fed with the preparation less rich in protein have a lower risk of obesity later.