Development and testing of a multi-component intervention to reduce infant formula-milk intake and excess weight gain.

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Excess weight in childhood causes problems both in the short term and in the long term. The number of people who are overweight or obese has been increasing and this is now even seen in preschool children. Research suggests that gaining a lot of weight in the first year of life may lead to obesity in childhood and adulthood. Research also suggests that the amount of milk currently recommended for infants is 15-20% more than what they actually need. This may be the reason why formula-fed babies are more likely to gain excess weight. We want to see if we can help parents feed their infants appropriately so that they do not consume more than they need and therefore put on excess weight. A group of doctors and psychologists will develop a programme after reviewing the literature and consulting with mothers, midwives and health visitors. Mothers on the programme will be given a new feeding schedule and educated on how to monitor the growth of their babies. Monitoring growth is an important way of picking up early if there is excessive weight gain and to prevent obesity. We will test this programme in a trial and if successful, develop this approach further for future use in the wider community.