Current research shows that dairy protein accelerates infant weight gain, which is a risk factor for later on obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, dietary protein from other sources haven't been studied yet. This longitudinal study will compare two complementary feeding regimens with dietary protein mainly from 1) meat; 2) dairy on infant growth, body composition and gut microbiome from 5 to 12 months of age in formula fed infants. Healthy infants at approximately 5 months of age will be randomized to either a meat protein, or a dairy protein group with complementary protein mainly from meat or dairy. Infants will consume one of these diets for 7 months (6-12 months of age) and infant growth, body composition, growth biomarkers and gut microbiome will be measured to compare between groups and over time.
Two observational follow-up visits will be conducted at 18 and 24 months of age.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
75
infants will consume a high-protein complementary diet with protein mainly from meat
infants will consume a high-protein complementary diet with protein mainly from dairy
UC Denver
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Change of linear growth
growth, including linear growth (length), body weight, and all the Z scores will be recorded at the beginning and end of the study.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in Body composition
body composition: fat mass, fat-free mass will be assessed at the beginning and end of the study
Time frame: 5 and 12 months of age
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