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Genes May Drive Link Between Parents’ and Children’s BMI: Study Finds
A new large-scale study suggests that genetics may play a major role in the strong association between parents’ body mass index (BMI) and their children’s BMI during childhood.
The research, which analysed data from around 86,000 Norwegian children, found that genetic factors accounted for an estimated 79% of the link between maternal BMI and a child’s BMI at age eight, and an even higher 94% for paternal BMI.
The research, which analysed data from around 86,000 Norwegian children, found that genetic factors accounted for an estimated 79% of the link between maternal BMI and a child’s BMI at age eight, and an even higher 94% for paternal BMI.
The study also observed that higher parental BMI was associated with obesity-related eating patterns in children, including increased responsiveness to food cues and emotional overeating. However, researchers noted that the exact extent to which these behaviours are genetically driven could not be definitively established.
About the Study
The findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine and conducted by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the University of Bristol (UK), and the University of Queensland (Australia).
The findings were published in the journal PLOS Medicine and conducted by researchers from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the University of Bristol (UK), and the University of Queensland (Australia).
The team used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study, which follows children born between 1999 and 2009.
Researchers examined birth weight, BMI from six months to eight years, and eating behaviours at age eight. They also analysed twin, sibling, and half-sibling data across generations to measure how much of the parent–child BMI relationship could be explained by genetics.
Researchers examined birth weight, BMI from six months to eight years, and eating behaviours at age eight. They also analysed twin, sibling, and half-sibling data across generations to measure how much of the parent–child BMI relationship could be explained by genetics.
Key Findings
The researchers wrote:
“For 8-year BMI, genetic confounding explained 79 per cent of the covariance with maternal BMI and 94 per cent of the covariance with paternal BMI.”
They found that maternal BMI had a stronger link with a child’s birth weight compared to paternal BMI, suggesting a possible biological influence during pregnancy. However, from ages two to eight, the influence of both parents’ BMI on child BMI was broadly similar.
The researchers wrote:
“For 8-year BMI, genetic confounding explained 79 per cent of the covariance with maternal BMI and 94 per cent of the covariance with paternal BMI.”
They found that maternal BMI had a stronger link with a child’s birth weight compared to paternal BMI, suggesting a possible biological influence during pregnancy. However, from ages two to eight, the influence of both parents’ BMI on child BMI was broadly similar.
Nature vs Environment
The study suggests that much of the connection between parental and childhood BMI may be driven by inherited genetic factors rather than direct biological effects during pregnancy.
Researchers highlighted that while parental obesity has long been linked to higher child BMI, separating genetic influence from environmental and prenatal effects has remained challenging.
The study suggests that much of the connection between parental and childhood BMI may be driven by inherited genetic factors rather than direct biological effects during pregnancy.
Researchers highlighted that while parental obesity has long been linked to higher child BMI, separating genetic influence from environmental and prenatal effects has remained challenging.
Implications of the Study
The findings could influence future approaches aimed at reducing childhood obesity, particularly interventions targeting parental weight before conception.
However, the authors cautioned that the results do not mean childhood obesity is inevitable for children of overweight parents.
The findings could influence future approaches aimed at reducing childhood obesity, particularly interventions targeting parental weight before conception.
However, the authors cautioned that the results do not mean childhood obesity is inevitable for children of overweight parents.
They noted that children with a genetic tendency toward higher BMI can still be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors.
Importantly, the study also emphasized that maternal health during pregnancy remains crucial, as maternal obesity is known to increase risks of complications for both mother and child.
Importantly, the study also emphasized that maternal health during pregnancy remains crucial, as maternal obesity is known to increase risks of complications for both mother and child.
