Pregnant mothers who ‘eat for two’ are increasing their baby’s chance of being obese.

Research showed by consuming ‘maternal junk food’ expectant mothers are more likely to programme their child’s eating habits when they grow up.

Scientists from the Royal Veterinary College in London fed a group of pregnant rats on either processed food or a balanced diet.

Professor Strickland told The Daily Telegraph newspaper:

"Our study has shown that eating large quantities of junk food when pregnant and breastfeeding could impair the normal control of appetite and promote an exacerbated taste for junk food in offspring.”

The research has caused uproar amongst mothers who blame conflicting information and see junk food as a result of living in today’s society.

“It’s a case of eat and be damned, don’t eat and be damned," said new mother Kendi Bagworth, 28, from Medway. 

"Pregnancy diet is really very confusing to the average mother who wants to do best for her child, simple rules don’t seem to apply,” she added.

This comes in a week of new research from across the pond focusing on children’s dietary habits.

Scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine found children preferred branded packaging when faced with a choice between two identical food items. 

While colleagues at Pennsylvania State University found children burned more fat in relation to energy spent advising children to avoid low fat diets.