What a woman eats around the time of conception may have an affect on the sex of her child, according to new research.
A study, conducted by scientists at the universities of Exeter and Oxford, has revealed that the women with a high-calorie diet at this time might have an increased chance of conceiving a boy.
Of the 740 first-time pregnant mothers who were involved in the report, 56 per cent with the highest energy intake had male offspring. This compared to only 45 per cent of women who had the lowest energy intake.
Louise Silverton, deputy general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, commented on the findings, saying that she would be concerned for the health of mothers and babies "if women were adapting to a less healthy diet in order to produce a child of a specific sex".
"Having a good diet before conception and during pregnancy can lay the foundations for a healthier life for the unborn child, and the mother," she added.
What a woman eats around the time of conception may have an affect on the sex of her child, according to new research.
