Supporting holistic growth and development

Nutrition for optimal children growth

From birth to early childhood, growth is a key indicator of health. But growing well means more than just getting taller. It involves a complex interplay of factors like body composition, cognitive development, immune resilience, and metabolic balance.

 

At Danone Research and Innovation, we understand this multidimensional process. Our science-driven approach aims to support every aspect of development, especially for children facing higher nutritional needs. Our comprehensive research underpins each strategy we adopt, aligning with international health recommendations and scientific consensus.

Optimal growth and development are more than just numbers

Growth charts and body measurements are helpful for tracking a child’s progress, but they don’t tell the whole story. True optimal growth means more than just getting taller or heavier, it’s about balanced development in muscle, fat, organ function, and even how the brain and immune system mature.

A healthy ratio between muscle and fat is especially important as studies show that a higher muscle-to-fat ratio in childhood is linked to a lower risk of early signs of metabolic syndrome. This means that building strong muscles and bones early in life helps set the stage for better lifelong health (more on that later).

Nutrition also plays a big role in how a child’s brain and immune system develop. Key nutrients like iron, vitamin D, and omega-3 fats, especially DHA (DocosaHexaenoic Acid), are essential for healthy brain growth, memory, and learning skills.

Understanding and addressing faltering growth

While optimal growth is not just about lines on a graph, it’s also important to recognize when a child’s development isn’t following a healthy trajectory. Faltering growth (also known as "Failure To Thrive" or FTT), when a child’s height or weight increases more slowly than expected, can have many causes and requires careful attention.

This condition can result from4:

  • Not getting enough calories or nutrients.

  • Trouble absorbing food.

  • Increased energy needs due to illness.

  • Or a combination of these factors. 

Sometimes, issues like feeding difficulties, chronic infections and diseases, or emotional and social challenges in the family can also play a role5.

Early identification of faltering growth is crucial. If left unaddressed, it can affect not only a child’s physical development but also their cognitive abilities and future health5. Indeed, children who experience growth faltering in infancy are at higher risk for delayed learning and shorter stature later in life6.

To support these kids, experts recommend a thorough evaluation to find and address any underlying causes5. This evaluation is often followed by personalized nutritional interventions (such as energy-rich foods or specialized formulas with extra protein and key micronutrients) to help children catch up and prevent long-term effects6. 

Nutritional support for children born preterm

In addition to the growth impairments mentioned above, it is important to note that some children, such as those born prematurely, face even greater challenges from an early age.

These babies have unique nutritional needs because their bodies are still developing rapidly outside the womb, and their digestive systems are not yet fully mature. They often require higher amounts of calories, protein, calcium, mineral, vitamins and essential fatty acids to support the development of their organs, bones, and brain, as well as to help them catch up in growth7.

If human milk remains the optimal source of nutrition for preterm infants whenever possible8, research shows that when preterm infants receive well designed nutrient-enriched formulas, they experience better weight gain, improved bone strength, and healthier brain development compared to those given standard formulas. These specialized formulas also help reduce the risk of long-term growth problems and support better neurodevelopmental outcomes, which are especially important for babies born very early or with very low birth weight9-10.

Supporting children with inborn errors of metabolism

In addition to premature births and common growth problems, some children face inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs). These rare genetic disorders affect metabolic pathways and metabolic processes. They disrupt the body’s ability to use specific nutrients and thus require highly specialized diets to prevent dangerous metabolite buildup and support healthy development. These conditions, such as phenylketonuria (PKU) or propionic acidemia, demand precise nutritional strategies tailored to each child’s unique metabolic needs.

Evidence-based guidelines emphasize the importance of medical formulas and protein substitutes  designed to exclude problematic nutrients while providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals11-12. For example, PKU-specific formulas supply protein without phenylalanine, enabling normal growth while avoiding neurotoxic effects11-13. Studies show that children adhering to these diets achieve better metabolic control, reflected in stabilized blood amino acid levels and reduced complications like intellectual disability or organ damage12.

However, maintaining strict dietary regimens remains challenging. Even with adequate calorie and protein intake, some children experience persistent growth delays, highlighting the need for ongoing adjustments to balance intact protein intake with specialized formulas12. Recent research underscores the value of multidisciplinary care teams to monitor growth, cognitive development, and metabolic markers while providing psychological and social support for families14.

Advances in nutritional science continue to refine these approaches. For instance, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and prebiotics are now integrated into formulas to enhance brain development and gut health in IEM patients15. Meanwhile, tools for calculating human milk and formula ratios help optimize feeding plans for infants13.

Nutrition and metabolic programming

What children eat in their earliest years doesn’t just fuel growth, it shapes how their bodies process nutrients for the decades to come. This concept, called metabolic programming, reveals that early dietary patterns influence lifelong risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease16.  

During critical developmental windows, and particularly during the first 1000 days of life (from pregnancy to the second anniversary), nutritional exposures can alter gene expression and organ function through epigenetic changes. 

For example:  

  • Infants fed high-protein formulas in early life face a 2.6× higher risk of obesity by age 6 compared to those given lower-protein alternatives17.  

  • Children exposed to excessive sugar in their first 1,000 days have up to 35% higher risk of type 2 diabetes as adults18.  

  • Balanced intake of micronutrients like iron and vitamin D during infancy supports healthier blood sugar regulation and reduces metabolic syndrome risks later16-17.  

Today, research highlights specific strategies to optimize metabolic programming:  

  • Breastfeeding for over six months correlates with lower obesity and diabetes rates16.  

  • Avoiding rapid weight gain in infancy by moderating protein and sugar intake helps prevent unhealthy fat storage patterns17-18.  

  • Tailored nutrient blends during pregnancy and early childhood, rich in omega-3s, folate, and zinc, support healthy organ development and metabolic efficiency19.  

While it is true that genetics play a role, researchers estimate that 40-70% of chronic disease risk can be traced to modifiable early-life factors like diet16. This underscores the importance of targeted nutritional interventions during these formative years to build lifelong resilience.

35%
higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood is linked to children exposed to excessive sugar during their first 1,000 days

2.6x
higher risk of obesity by age 6 is observed in infants fed high-protein formulas early in life compared to those given lower-protein alternatives

Complementary feeding and its long-term impact

From one to three years of age, children transition from infant feeding to family diets. During this period, ensuring a balanced intake of nutrients remains essential, especially as dietary gaps may appear.

Clinical trials show that young child formulas enriched with iron , vitamin D, DHA, and other essential nutrients can significantly improve growth metrics, cognitive development, and nutritional status compared to traditional diets alone20. These specialized formulas provide critical support, preventing deficiencies and promoting optimal lean mass development and overall health21.

The timing and quality of complementary feeding, the introduction of solid foods, can also influence a child’s health well into school age. Recent longitudinal studies indicate that introducing complementary foods at the recommended age of around six months supports healthier BMI trajectories and improved metabolic profiles later in life22. 

Danone’s science-based and accessible approach

Everyone deserves the best possible start in life. That’s why our approach to growth nutrition is both personalized and driven by science. We combine rigorous research, clinical evidence, and real-world insights to design products that are safe, effective, and enjoyable.

Our formulations are developed with the understanding that each child is unique. We tailor our solutions to respond to diverse physiological needs, developmental stages, and health conditions, whether it’s meeting the higher energy demands of a preterm baby, addressing faltering growth with nutrient-dense formulas, or supporting children with complex metabolic disorders through precision nutrition.

We also strive to ensure that our products are not only effective but accessible and acceptable to families around the world. This includes ensuring affordability, cultural adaptability, and taste profiles that promote adherence and enjoyment.

 

Whether supporting preterm infants, managing faltering growth, or helping children with metabolic conditions, our goal remains the same: to provide nutritional solutions that empower healthy development and long-term well-being—for every child, everywhere.

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  2. Huffman SL, Harika RK, Eilander A, Osendarp SJ. Essential fats: how do they affect growth and development of infants and young children in developing countries? A literature review. Matern Child Nutr. 2011 Oct;7 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):44-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00356.x. PMID: 21929635; PMCID: PMC6860654.

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  8. Best Karen P. , Yelland Lisa N. , Collins Carmel T. , McPhee Andrew J. , Rogers Geraint B. , Choo Jocelyn , Gibson Robert A. , Murguia-Peniche Teresa , Varghese Jojy , Cooper Timothy R. , Makrides Maria. Growth of late preterm infants fed nutrient-enriched formula to 120 days corrected age—A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Pediatrics. Volume 11 - 2023. DOI=10.3389/fped.2023.1146089. ISSN=2296-2360

  9. Kwinta Przemko , Lazarova Svilena , Demová Klaudia , Chen Yipu , Hartweg Mickaël , Krattinger Laura-Florina , Fumero Cecilia , Buczyńska Aleksandra , Durlak Wojciech , Uhrikova Zuzana , Kozar Marek , Samuel Tinu Mary , Zibolen Mirko. Effects of two-stage preterm formulas on growth, nutritional biomarkers, and neurodevelopment in preterm infants. Frontiers in Pediatrics. Volume 12 - 2024. DOI=10.3389/fped.2024.1427050. ISSN=2296-2360

  10. Sarah N. Kunz, Katherine Bell, Mandy Brown Belfort; Early Nutrition in Preterm Infants: Effects on Neurodevelopment and Cardiometabolic Health. Neoreviews July 2016; 17 (7): e386–e393. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.17-7-e386

  11. Camp KM, Lloyd-Puryear MA, Huntington KL. Nutritional treatment for inborn errors of metabolism: indications, regulations, and availability of medical foods and dietary supplements using phenylketonuria as an example. Mol Genet Metab. 2012 Sep;107(1-2):3-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.07.005. Epub 2012 Jul 16. PMID: 22854513; PMCID: PMC3444638.

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  14. Shirdelzade, Sara & Ramezani, Monir & Eshraghi, Peyman & Heydari, Abbas. (2024). Care Needs of Children with Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Their Parents: An Integrative Review. Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care. 13. 10.5812/jjcdc-139791. 

  15. Lim JY, Amit N, Ali NM, Leong HY, Mohamad M, Rajikan R. Effect of nutritional intervention on nutritional status among children with disorders of amino acid and nitrogen metabolism (AANMDs): A scoping review. Intractable Rare Dis Res. 2021 Nov;10(4):246-256. doi: 10.5582/irdr.2021.01124. PMID: 34877236; PMCID: PMC8630465.

  16. João Guilherme Bezerra Alves, Lucas Victor Alves, Early-life nutrition and adult-life outcomes, Jornal de Pediatria, Volume 100, Supplement 1, 2024, Pages S4-S9, ISSN 0021-7557, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2023.08.007.

  17. Berthold Koletzko, Brigitte Brands, Veit Grote, Franca F. Kirchberg, Christine Prell, Peter Rzehak, Olaf Uhl, Martina Weber, for the Early Nutrition Programming Project; Long-Term Health Impact of Early Nutrition: The Power of Programming. Ann Nutr Metab 5 July 2017; 70 (3): 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1159/000477781

  18. Tadeja Gracner et al. Exposure to sugar rationing in the first 1000 days of life protected against chronic disease.Science386,1043-1048(2024).DOI:10.1126/science.adn5421

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  20. Hernell, O., Fewtrell, M.S., Georgieff, M.K., Krebs, N.F., & Lönnerdal, B. (2015). Summary of current recommendations on iron provision and monitoring of iron status for breastfed and formula-fed infants in resource-rich countries. Journal of Pediatrics, 167(4 Suppl), S40–S47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.07.020

  21. Suthutvoravut, U., Abiodun, P.O., Chomtho, S., Chongviriyaphan, N., Cruchet, S., Davies, P.S., ... & Yamashiro, Y. (2015). Composition of follow-up formula for young children aged 12–36 months: Recommendations of an international expert group coordinated by the Nutrition Association of Thailand and the Early Nutrition Academy. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 67(2), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1159/00043849

  22. Fewtrell, M., Bronsky, J., Campoy, C., Domellöf, M., Embleton, N., Fidler Mis, N., ... & ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition (2017). Complementary feeding: A position paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) Committee on Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 64(1), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001454

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