Mother's Genetics Hold The Key To Childhood Obesity: Ucl Study Reveals
Recent research from University College London suggests that a mother's genetics may play a crucial role in determining whether her child becomes overweight. This concept, known as genetic nurture, was explored in a study published in PLOS Genetics.
The investigation involved 2,621 families from the UK, part of the Millennium Cohort Study, which tracks individuals born in 2001/02. Researchers focused on the connection between parents' body mass index (BMI) and their children's weight and dietary habits from birth through age 17.
The team analyzed the relationship between parental BMI and children's birthweight, BMI, and diet at critical stages: ages 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, and 17. Children's diets were assessed through self-reported data about their consumption of various food groups like fruits, vegetables, fast food, and sugary drinks.
By examining both children's and parents' genes, researchers distinguished between the direct effects of inherited genes and the indirect effects of non-inherited genes. Non-inherited genes can influence a child's development by shaping the environment provided by the parents' genetic traits.
The study found that while both maternal and paternal BMIs affected a child's BMI, the father's influence was largely direct genetic inheritance. However, the mother's BMI had a lasting impact on the child's weight, even beyond direct genetic factors.
This indicates that genetic nurture might be in effect, where a mother's genes influence the environment she creates, affecting her child's growth and health. For example, maternal genes may affect a mother's weight and eating habits, which in turn impact the child's development.
Dr. Liam Wright, leading the study, noted, "Mothers' genetics seem to play a significant role in shaping the environment for their child's development, indirectly affecting the child's BMI." He emphasized that this research isn't about blaming mothers but about supporting families to improve children's long-term health.
With childhood obesity a persistent issue in the UK and worldwide, targeted interventions to reduce maternal BMI during pregnancy could help mitigate obesity's intergenerational impacts.
The study received funding from the Medical Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, and the Norwegian Research Council.