Researchers disprove myth that c-section babies are more likely to get fat later in life

BABIES born by c-section are no more likely to become obese than those delivered naturally, a study suggests.

Researchers say their findings debunk the myth that a caesarean birth raises the odds of a child growing fat.

Researcher's have debunked the myth that c-sections increase the odds of children becoming obese — Researcher’s have debunked the myth that c-sections increase the odds of children becoming obeseCredit: Alamy

Instead, the mum’s body mass index (BMI) before she falls pregnant is the biggest predictor of her kid’s adult size.

Scientists analysed the birth method and BMI of 97,291 men aged 18 using records from military service conscription exams.

Some 4.9 per cent of those delivered naturally were obese, compared with 5.5 per cent born through elective c-section and 5.6 per cent by emergency c-section.

But there was no statistical difference after accounting for other factors such as the age, smoking status and BMI of the mum.

Dr Daniel Berglind who led the Swedish study said: “This tells us that how women give birth may not be an important factor in the origins of the global obesity epidemic.”

One in four UK babies is delivered by c-section. Use of the procedure almost doubled globally from 2000 to 2015.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists welcomed the findings, published in the journal PLOS Medicine.