The researchers say women who 'pig' out on junk food while pregnant may be condemning their offspring to a plethora of health problems later in life.

Researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in London carried out a study involving rats and found that those that ate a diet rich in fat, sugar and salt while pregnant were more likely to give birth to offspring that liked to over-eat and loved junk food when compared to the offspring of rats given regular feed.

The scientists believe this could also apply to humans and suggest the second generation, whose mothers fed on junk or unhealthy processed foods, also had unusually high levels of cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease because of fats in the bloodstream.

These rats also had higher than average levels of glucose and insulin, making them susceptible to Type II diabetes.

The researchers say the mother's diet has an effect which lasts beyond adolescence in rats, and even when the offspring were weaned off the junk food, it affected how their bodies metabolised food and this suggests there is a long-term health impact.

The study analysed the rats beyond adolescence through to adulthood and found that these rats were still fatter than those whose mothers had eaten a healthier diet while pregnant and breastfeeding.

A particular concern was fat which was collecting around the major organs, which has been implicated in the development of type II diabetes and the rats with unhealthy mothers were more likely to have this, even if they were weaned off the junk food diet.

Interesting differences between the sexes were seen, with the male offspring of unhealthy mothers having higher levels of insulin and normal blood sugar, while the reverse was true of females, who also tended to be fatter.

The researchers say though the study was carried out in rats, the findings have implications for humans.

The same team have already shown that rats whose mothers were fed junk food during pregnancy and breastfeeding were more likely to crave similar snacks themselves but now it seems even when weaned off this diet themselves, the damage may already have been done.

Researcher Dr. Stephanie Bayol, says it appears that a mother's diet whilst pregnant and breastfeeding is very important for the long-term health of her child.