Kamis, 24 Mei 2012

Caesarean section babies 'face double the risk of obesity' than those delivered naturally

Caesarean section babies 'face double the risk of obesity' than those delivered naturally

By Jenny Hope

PUBLISHED: 17:58 EST, 23 May 2012 | UPDATED: 01:47 EST, 24 May 2012


Babies born by caesarean section are at double the risk of becoming obese children as those delivered naturally, researchers have claimed.

They said the obesity epidemic could be driven in part by rising rates of surgical deliveries.

The rate of caesareans in England is almost 25 per cent, which totals around 155,000 a year.

Heavyweight issue: US experts say the obesity epidemic could be driven in part by rising rates of surgical deliveries

Heavyweight issue: US experts say the obesity epidemic could be driven in part by rising rates of surgical deliveries

The operation can be life-saving for mother and baby but about 7 per cent of NHS surgical births occur for no medical reason.

In the US study, researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital examined 1,225 mother and child pairs over three years, weighing them and measuring the babies’ body fat. One in four of the deliveries was by caesarean.

After taking into account obesity in the mother and other factors, they found almost 16 per cent of children delivered by caesarean were obese by the age of three compared with 7.5 per cent born naturally.

The study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood journal, concluded that infants born surgically are not exposed to beneficial bacteria, and therefore their bodies take longer to accumulate good bugs that boost the body’s metabolism.

At risk: Almost 16 per cent of children delivered by caesarean were obese by the age of three compared with 7.5 per cent born naturally

At risk: Almost 16 per cent of children delivered by caesarean were obese by the age of three compared with 7.5 per cent born naturally

Obese adults tend to have fewer ‘friendly’ bacteria in their digestive tract and higher levels of ‘bad’ bacteria, which mean they burn fewer calories and store more of them as fat.

However, other studies show that obese women are more likely to need a caesarean, and are more likely to have children who grow up to be overweight or obese.

The researchers said mothers should be made aware of the potential health risks to the baby when choosing a surgical delivery if it is not necessary.

Sue MacDonald, of the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘This highlights the need to avoid caesareans that are not medically needed.’

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

so what about all the kids that are fat that were born naturally, pretty sure this would outnumber the fat kids that were born by c-section.

Report abuse

Load of rubbish! My daughter was born c section as she was breach. She is tiny! She is 2 years old and in 12 month clothes. I note that the study was carried out in the USA where they have a very high volume obese people. That's probably hog something to do with the babies growing obese.

Report abuse

What. Is it all of a sudden everyone is obese!? No everyone is living how they want and if they are happy then please stop these stupid stories!! My son was born by c section at 7lbs wow so obese?!? He is now 2 and a very healthy 3stone in weight as he is very tall for his age

Report abuse

Maybe its because 16% of obese women give birth by caesaren and only 7.5% of obese women give birth naturally.

Report abuse

Yawn - nothing in the news, let's pitch the 'natural' versus 'medical' mummy mobs against each other for giggles....

Report abuse

More drivel to start the day with...

Report abuse

I was a born by c section and never suffer with any of the things the 'experts' make out I should be prone to! On top of that it's very rare that I'm ill either.

Report abuse

What a load of rubbish DM! Is this a made up story to fill the paper?? All my children born by C section and they are skinny! It's about good home cooked food and exercise!!

Report abuse

Oh such stupidity. It doesn't take a genius to work out that it's what you feed your child and how much exercise they have.

Report abuse

What utter rubbish. Are people actually employed to carry out this 'research'?

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Diposting oleh di

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)