Mother's diet linked to baby's sex

23 Apr 2008

A mother's diet both before and during pregnancy can influence the sex of the baby, new research suggests.

A study conducted by Exeter and Oxford Universities found that a child’s sex is associated with the mother's diet, providing evidence that higher energy intake at the time of conception can be linked to the birth of sons.

The findings show that 56% of women who consumed the highest amount of calories each day gave birth to baby boys, while a higher proportion of women who ate breakfast cereals also produced sons.

Dr Fiona Mathews of the University of Exeter, lead author of the report, said: "This research may help to explain why in developed countries, where many young women choose to have low calorie diets, the proportion of boys born is falling.

"Here we have evidence of a 'natural' mechanism that means that women appear to be already controlling the sex of their offspring by their diet."

According to the study’s results, women who consumed a higher quantity of food and a wider range of nutrients such as potassium, calcium and vitamins C, E and B12 were more likely to give birth to boys.

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