Infantile Overnutrition among Artificially Fed Infants in the Sheffield Region

Abstract

Artificially-fed 6-week-old infants in the Sheffield region are heavier than would be predicted from their birth weights and show a greatly increased incidence of excessive weight gain. These findings are associated with caloric intakes that exceed the classic 50 calories/lb/day (110 calories/kg/day) with a universal tendency to early feeding with cereals and mixed infant foods. The possible harmful implications of the trend to infantile overnutrition are discussed.