Researchers in China have been able to demonstrate a link between antibiotics in food production and obesity in children, reports The Times.

Scientists at Fudan University’s public health school in Shanghai found that children with high traces of veterinary antibiotics were two to three times more likely to be obese than children with low concentrations, with boys more likely to be obese than girls.

Their findings, which has been published in the journal Environmental, International showed that some antibiotics were found in over a third of the 586 children (aged 8-11) studied.

China is the world’s largest manufacturer and user of antibiotics, and responsible for about half of the world’s consumption.