New data from the Millennium Cohort Study, following 12,000 children born in 2000, shows that more than one in four (26 per cent) babies given solids before four months were overweight aged three compared with 22 per cent of those fed solids later on.

The same held true when the youngsters reached five, with 24 per cent of those given solids before four months being overweight compared with 20 per cent of those given solids after four months. The research also found that children who were not breastfed were more likely to be overweight (23 per cent compared with 18 per cent of those breastfed for four months or more).

Overall, 18 per cent of the children in the study were overweight at age three and 5 per cent were obese, while 16 per cent were overweight at age five and 5 per cent were obese. Aged five, more girls were overweight than boys (23 per cent versus 19 per cent).

Dr Lucy Griffiths, who led the research team, said: "Our findings suggest a continued need to promote breastfeeding and discourage premature introduction of solid foods. They also show the need to promote healthy patterns of eating and physical activity in the early years."