Babies who suffer pain are more likely to end up fat

NEWBORNS who experience pain may be at greater risk of overeating and obesity in the long-term, suggests a Georgia State University study.

Baby rats that felt pain from an injection ate more of a sugary solution at each meal compared to those that didn’t. And there was a greater effect in female rats — researchers say testosterone may protect males from neonatal pain, according to the journal Physiology & Behavior.

The theory is that this time is key for developing the cells in the part of the brain that controls eating behaviour. It is thought this may have implications for treating newborn babies.