The genetic factor that could impact a child’s future weight, according to experts
A mother’s genes can play a role in determining a child’s future weight – more than a father.
University College London (UCL) researchers investigated how a parent’s weight and genes affect the weight and diet of their children from birth to 17 years of age.
In order to make a comparison, the researchers used genetic and health data of the 2,621 UK family in the Millennium Kohort study, which is the UK birth cohort work of individuals born in 2001-2002.
The study published in the journal Plos GeneticsHe looked at the parents’ BMI and the birth weight of their children. They also looked at the diet of children aged three, five, seven, 11, 14 and 17.
Children’s diets, fruit, vegetables, fast food and sugary beverages, including different food groups, how often they consume and how much they consume their own records were evaluated.
Researchers later separated the direct effects of hereditary genes from the indirect effects of non -hereditary genes.
Writers have announced that non -internal genes can still affect the development environment by affecting the development environment because the conditions in uterine and parenting practices are shaped by parents and genetics of parents.
While the analysis affected a genetics of both parents, the BMI of a child, a mother’s BMI continued to affect the child’s weight beyond genetic inheritance.
Researchers argue that genetic nutrition, in which a parent genes shape the environment created for their children, may mean that a child’s weight may be a major factor.
If the genes of a mother affect their weight, eating habits or behavior during pregnancy, it can affect the development and long -term health of the child.
The chief author of the study. Liam Wright said: “The genetics of the mothers seem to play an important role in influencing their child’s weight on and above the genetics of the child.
“In addition to the genes where the candles pass directly, our findings show that mother genetics are effective in shaping the environment in which the child develops and therefore affects the child’s BMI.”
According to NHS data, almost one third of children aged two to 15 years was considered obese or overweight in 2024.
However, researchers accept that BMI is not the right way to measure body fat among children, thus supporting their analysis by other measures related to other adipocyte, including fat mass.
Dr Wright added: “This is not about blaming mothers, but not to support families to make a significant difference in their long -term health.
