Scientists claim women hoping to give birth to boys should make sure they get a proper breakfast. Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois, United States, say it could be down to lower levels of glucose in the blood, affecting male foetuses more than female.

A study suggests that mothers who skip breakfast around the time they conceive only have 45 per cent likelihood of having a male child – compared to the usual 51 per cent It is already known that in times of disaster – such as earthquakes, floods and wars – fewer boys are born than girls.

The latest study, which was reported in the journal Biodemography And Social Biology, aimed to establish whether skipping breakfast would create similar stress conditions.

The team looked at data from over 700,000 women in the US and found that if they missed morning meals early in pregnancy, it tipped the ratio of male to female births from the usual 51-49.

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