Hundreds of Huddersfield’s bouncing babies are tipping the scales more than 2lbs above the national average.

Figures reveal about 100 babies per year are born at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust weighing in excess of 9lb 9oz.

The national averages are 7lb 8oz for a boy and 7lb 4oz for a girl.

Hospital records show that from 2012 to 2014 there were 314 newborns recorded as weighing 9lb 9oz or more.

There is no officially agreed weight for an obese baby but medics have said very large babies can suffer with birth complications and health risks later in life.

However the trust did record one baby as ‘obese’ last year.

A Freedom of Information request also shows children as young as four were admitted to the trust’s hospitals with obesity issues in 2012 and 2014.

Health officials have said overweight or obese mums with type 2 diabetes tend to give birth to heavier babies because the foetus receives more sugar through the placenta.

Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum said there was a “vicious circle” with more overweight mums giving birth to overweight babies.

Kirklees Council’s public health department said it was working to improve the health of pregnant women.

A spokesperson, said: “Women play a central role in shaping the health of their children and families, which includes during pregnancy.

“Maternal behaviours such as alcohol consumption, diet, and smoking during pregnancy, all affect the health of an unborn child.

“In Kirklees we have various programmes that support women to adopt healthy behaviours before, during and after pregnancy.

“This includes projects such as Auntie Pams and work commissioned by the FINE (Food Initiatives and Nutrition Education) team, who organise training and tailored services that engage with women of child bearing age.

“We work with various health partners across the district to ensure we are providing the best help possible, this includes the clinical commissioning groups.

“We also work closely with the antenatal departments and a new support programme with midwives is due to start soon.”