The infant's ability to self-regulate caloric intake: a case study
Adair, L.S.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 84(5): 543-546
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 6715750 Document Number: 231826
From 1 week to 9 months old, the diet of a normal boy infant was recorded daily. At regular intervals he was weighed and his length, head circumference and skinfold thicknesses were measured. The infant was fed freely and as supplemental foods were added to the diet he adjusted his energy intake by taking less of the bottle feed. Growth was close to the 50th centile USA NCHS standards of body weight and length. Regularity of growth indicated that the intake was adequate to meet energy requirements without excessive storage of energy. Results suggest that the bottle-fed infant's own regulation of energy intake should be facilitated, to avoid overfeeding. An infant indicating satiety should not be persuaded to finish the bottleful of feed.