Study claims Caesarean birth and obesity link

Researchers have claimed that babies born by Caesarean are at higher risk of becoming obese compared with siblings born by vaginal delivery.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, followed more than 22,000 babies into adulthood and found that, in families where children were born by different methods, those born by Caesarean were 64 per cent more likely to be obese than their siblings born by vaginal delivery.

A possible cause is the lack of exposure to healthy gut bacteria that plays an important role in regulating diet, which vaginal delivery allows but Caesarean does not.

This, however, is unlikely to be the sole reason. Other factors that the researchers outline include the diet of the mother, whether the baby is breastfed and whether the mother suffers from diabetes.

Approximately 26 per cent of babies are delivered by Caesarean section in the UK, with the Royal College of Midwives stating that rates have risen steadily over the last few years.

Professor Neena Modi, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Caesarean section can be life saving for women and their babies. However many women are now considering Caesarean section where there is no medical indication.

"It is important that they are told about the possibility of increased risk of obesity in their children, to help them make an informed birth choice.

"It is also important for parents to focus on factors that they can influence which definitely impact on their infant's health. This includes maintaining a healthy weight at the time of conception, and throughout pregnancy."