Caffeine in pregnancy weight link

Early childhood obesity fears

Babies exposed to high levels of caffeine in the womb are more likely to go on to be overweight children, a study suggests.

The latest research, the journal BMJ Open, concluded exposure to moderate to high caffeine levels while in the womb is linked to excess weight gain in early childhood.

The research, led by experts from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, found that children exposed to very high levels of caffeine can weigh 480g more when they are aged eight compared with children exposed levels.

The authors said their work supports advice to reduce caffeine intake during pregnancy.

NHS choices advises pregnant women to limit their caffeine consumption to no more than 200mg a day. A mug of instant coffee, on average, contains 100mg of caffeine. Filter coffee has higher caffeine levels with the average mug containing 140mg of caffeine.

While caffeine is mostly associated with hot drinks, it can also be found in other products including energy drinks, some cans of pop and chocolate bars.

In the latest study, to low caffeine experts examined data from more than 50,000 Norwegian women and their babies.

The authors compared data from the dietary surveys with information on child body measurements taken at 11 different stages throughout childhood until they were eight years old.

Average, high, and very high caffeine intake during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk – 15%, 30%, and 66% respectively – of “excess growth” during their child’s infancy compared with children born to mothers who had a low caffeine intake during pregnancy.