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. 2020 Nov 12;12(11):3465.
doi: 10.3390/nu12113465.

Variation in Infant Formula Macronutrient Ingredients Is Associated with Infant Anthropometrics

Bridget Young  1
Affiliations

Variation in Infant Formula Macronutrient Ingredients Is Associated with Infant Anthropometrics

Bridget Young. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background: There is wide variation in the macronutrient ingredient base of infant formula. How variation in macronutrient ingredients may impact infant growth remains largely unknown.

Methods: The 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset was utilized, including infant anthropometrics and dietary intake. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources of formulas consumed were assembled and considered as potential predictors in multivariable models of infant Z-scores among infants < 6 months, 6-12 months and all infants combined (0-12 months).

Results: The following relationships represent ingredient covariates within the final multivariable models of infant Z-scores. Consuming formula with palm oil was associated with higher weight-for-length Z-scores among infants < 6 months, but lower weight-for-age and weight-for-length Z-scores among infants 6-12 months. Consuming soy-protein formulas was associated with lower weight-for-length, head circumference-for-age and abdominal circumference-for-age Z-scores among infants < 6 months. Consuming sucrose-containing formula was associated with higher weight-for-length and abdominal circumference-for-age Z-score among infants 0-12 months.

Conclusions: These data provide proof-of-concept that all formulas are not the same. Variation in macronutrient ingredients within the standard formula category is associated with differences in infant anthropometric outcomes. Long-term and mechanistic studies are warranted to pursue these findings; especially for palm oil, soy protein, and sucrose.

Keywords: NHANES; National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; infant formula; infant growth; infant nutrition; palm oil.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sample sizes for generation of the final dataset of infants ≤ 12 months of age from the NHANES 2015–2016 dataset.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Presented are the percentage of infants that reported consuming any solid foods on any of the days when 24 h dietary recall was administered, by infant age in months.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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