Children of mothers who eat junk food more likely to be overweight – study

The researchers say they can’t yet explain the link between mothers eating ultra-processed food and their children being at higher risk of being overweight. Photograph: goodmoments/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Children of mothers who consume ultra-processed foods such as ready meals, sugary cereals and biscuits are more likely to grow up overweight or obese, a study suggests.

The link between a mother’s diet and her child’s obesity risk is independent of other lifestyle risk factors, including the child’s own consumption of ultra-processed food, according to the research. The findings are published in the BMJ.