Mothers who have caesarean sections are more likely to have overweight babies compared to women who give birth naturally, research reveals.
Scientists at Imperial College London studied 62 babies and found that those delivered by c-section have higher levels of fat in their livers than those born naturally.
Researcher Professor Neena Modi told The Times: "We have preliminary data which suggests that key processes within the liver and with the handling of fats is distorted if you are a baby that has not been exposed to a normal labour.
"It triggers a metabolic process which allows (you) to handle fats.
"We are pursuing the hypothesis that if you are not exposed to normal labour then your normal metabolic development is distorted."
She added that caesareans could also affect the natural balance of hormones and enzymes.
These findings come the day before the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are expected to publish plans to make c-sections available to any woman who chooses one.