Finding better bottles to help prevent obesity in infants
Official title: AB3: Assessing Better Bottles for Babies
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11079599 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the size and see-through-ness of baby bottles can affect how much weight babies gain, with the goal of helping bottle-fed infants stay healthy and avoid becoming overweight later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 25, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $242,846 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD114998-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079599 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants who are predominantly bottle-fed and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are exclusively breastfed or those who do not use bottles for feeding may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the size and opacity of baby bottles can influence weight gain in infants. It aims to reduce excessive weight gain among bottle-fed infants, who are at a higher risk for obesity later in life. The study will test two innovative strategies: using smaller bottles and bottles that are less transparent to help caregivers better respond to infants' hunger cues. By understanding these factors, the research seeks to develop effective interventions for preventing obesity from an early age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new guidelines for bottle feeding that help prevent obesity in infants and reduce long-term health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that interventions targeting bottle size and feeding practices can be effective, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wood, Charles T — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Wood, Charles T
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.