The AAP recommends introducing cereal (C) into infant diet at 4-6 months(mos) of age. In practice, parents often begin C before 4 mos. Shifting a balanced diet to a carbohydrate-enriched diet may promote fat storage. We hypothesized that infants fed formula+cereal from 3 mos become heavier and have increased fat mass vs. controls fed formula alone.Methods: 12 male term formula fed infants were randomized to receive C beginning at 3 (n=6) or 5 (n=6) mos of age. Weight (wt, kg) and length (cm) were measured at birth, 3, 4, & 5 mos of age.%Fat was assessed by total body electrical conductance (TOBEC) at 3, 4 & 5 mos.Results:(mean ± SEM) Birth weight, GA and race did not differ by group. Both wt (p=0.002) and%fat (p=0.006) were significantly higher in the cereal group by repeated measures regression analysis (BMDP 5V).Conclusion: Early introduction of cereal to infant diet resulted in increased weight attributable to increased fat mass. Speculation: Increased adiposity in infants fed cereal early is due to replacement of protein rich formula with carbohydrate. This may be relevant to the development of obesity later in life. (Funded by NIDDK #DK46204)Table

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