Fat babies grow into trusting adults

Kids who feel satiated in the womb think they are being born into a wonderful world

Babies who are born overweight tend to grow into happier, more trusting adults, according to new research from Aarhus University.

“If a foetus has had easy access to nutrition, it has a sense that, ‘hey, the world must be a nice place,’” Michael Bang Petersen, a professor of political science  at Aarhus University, told DR Nyheder.

“It is obviously not a conscious thought, but the response of some completely automatic physiological functions we are talking about.”

Petersen said that a foetus well-fed in the womb is prenatally programmed to feel more confident about the world.

No binging allowed
Petersen said, however, that expectant mothers should not run out and stock the pantry with Bogo.

“A child’s birth weight is not just influenced by the mother’s consumption of calories, but also how she feels during the pregnancy,” Petersen said. “She needs to be free of stress and feel support from those around her.”

READ MORE: Danes fatter than they think

Petersen prescribed relaxing before bonbons.




Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system