Caesareans and obesity interlinked?

A new study has revealed that babies born by caesarean section are almost twice as likely to be overweight when they reach their teens.

Researchers found that surgically delivered 11-year-olds were 83 percent more likely to be overweight compared to those born naturally, reports dailymail.co.uk.

They believe that babies by natural childbirth are exposed to bacteria in the birth canal which helps regulate metabolism in later life.

"There may be long-term consequences (of caesareans) to children that we don't know about," said lead researcher Jan Blustein, doctor from the New York University School of Medicine.

She said the extent of the obesity risk for children is "not great" and should not be a factor when considering whether a women should have the operation for medical reasons.