The research showed that bottle-fed babies took in more calories and experienced weight gain at a crucial stage of growth compared with those brought up on breast milk. Bottle-feeding could also lead to a pattern of overeating that is difficult to overcome in the later life.

"It seems that breastfed infants are better able to regulate their energy intake than formula-fed infants," said nutritionist Dr. Pauline Emmett.

The reason is that parents feeding formula milk make sure that the baby finishes the bottle and do not necessarily reduce the quantity offered once weaning is established.

The World Health Organization has estimated that over 700 million people would be obese by 2015.