People whose mothers were overweight at higher risk of bowel cancer, study suggests

Findings may help explain why incidence of bowel cancer is rising among younger adults in developed regions

Children of women who were overweight or obese when pregnant have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer in later life, research suggests.

Obesity in women has previously been linked to health problems in their offspring. Among them, studies have suggested women who are overweight when trying to conceive are more likely to have a baby with serious birth defects.