Infant formula with dairy lipids showed no difference in fat mass compared to control formula or exclusive breastfeeding

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Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Published May 1, 2026 Medically reviewed May 6, 2026 Study authors: Dorrepaal D J, van Beijsterveldt I A L P, Abrahamse-Berkeveld M, Rings E H H M, Hokken-Koelega A C S PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

Key Takeaway

Consider that formula with dairy lipids showed no fat mass difference from control formula but differed from breastfeeding.

This randomized, controlled, double-blind trial investigated the impact of a specific infant formula on body composition in healthy, term-born infants. The intervention involved feeding infants a formula containing large, phospholipid-coated lipid droplets enriched with dairy lipids until six months of age. This was compared against a control infant formula and exclusive breastfeeding. The primary outcome assessed fat mass index standard deviation score from six to twelve months, while secondary outcomes included various other body composition trajectories and visceral fat measurements.

The trial reported no differences in fat mass index or other body composition trajectories between the formula groups. However, infants receiving either formula type demonstrated higher visceral fat and higher fat-free mass index compared to those exclusively breastfed. Additionally, both formula groups exhibited lower fat mass percentage and lower length standard deviation scores relative to the exclusive breastfeeding group up to six months of age. The formula was found to be well-tolerated with a safety profile similar to the control formula.

The authors observed that while the specific lipid-enriched formula did not differ from the control formula regarding fat mass, both formula types differed from exclusive breastfeeding in several metrics. Key limitations noted by the authors include the need for more research to investigate potential long-term effects. The study does not overstate findings regarding long-term health outcomes. Clinicians should interpret these results with caution, recognizing that short-term body composition differences do not necessarily predict long-term health status.

Study Details

Study typeRct

Sample sizen = 62

EvidenceLevel 2

Follow-up24.0 mo

PublishedMay 2026

PMID41905310

View Original Abstract ↓

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Childhood obesity is a global public health threat. Breastfeeding is associated with a protective effect on childhood overweight. Since breastfeeding is not always possible, infant formula (IF) should provide nutritional and functional properties as close as possible to human milk. We investigated body composition trajectories during the first 2 years of life of infants receiving until age 6 months Concept IF, containing large, phospholipid-coated lipid droplets enriched with dairy lipids, more closely mimicking human milk fat globule characteristics, in comparison with a conventional IF (Control) and exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). METHODS: In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, healthy term-born infants were assigned to receive Concept IF (n = 62) or Control IF (n = 64) until age 6 months. Infants receiving EBF for ≥6 months served as reference (n = 123). Body composition was measured by Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP) until 6 months and by Dual-energy X-ray (DXA) from age 6 to 24 months. Ultrasonography measured abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat thickness. Mixed models were used to evaluate body composition during the first 2 years of life, with fat mass index standard deviation score (SDS) from age 6-12 months as primary outcome. RESULTS: No differences were found between the Concept and Control group for fat mass index SDS and all other body composition trajectories. In comparison with the EBF group, both IF groups had more; visceral fat and a higher fat-free mass index SDS during the first 2 years of life and a lower fat mass percentage SDS and length SDS up to age 6 months. Concept IF was well-tolerated and had similar safety as Control IF based on adverse event outcomes. CONCLUSION: Body composition trajectories of infants receiving a Concept IF, containing large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets enriched with dairy lipids, until the age of 6 months, were not; different from infants receiving Control IF during the first 2 years of life. As the first 6 months of life are; a critical window for adiposity programming which may only become evident later in life, more research is required to investigate potential long-term effects. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: not registered.