A method is provided for reducing the extent of or occurrence of long-term adverse health effects in human infants, comprising feeding to said infants when newborn a nutrient-containing-formula providing not more than 1 gram of protein per 100 ml of formula and/or not more than 50 kcal per 100 ml of formula. Also disclosed are methods of administering the infant formulas to reduce the occurrence or extent of insulin resistance in an individual later in life, to reduce the occurrence or extent of obesity or atherosclerosis in an individual later in life, or combinations thereof, by feeding newborn infants the newborn infant formula described herein.