A Norwegian study has revealed that obesity is hereditary and transcends generations. The recurring question in the minds of millions worldwide has been, "Can you inherit obesity from your parents?" New research confirms, "Yes, this is indeed what happens." The study shows that children of parents who suffer from obesity in middle age are significantly more likely to be obese at the same age. This research, which establishes the hereditary aspect of obesity, followed two generations of families to confirm the transmission of obesity from parents to their children.
Although the mechanisms of obesity transmission across generations are not yet fully understood, researchers believe that both genetic and environmental factors play a significant role, according to "Medical News Today." The new Norwegian research sheds light on the "transmission" of obesity across generations. Obesity is the subject of many studies around the world as it poses a threat to human health.
During a presentation at the European Obesity Conference, scientists reported that children of parents who are obese in midlife are six times more likely to become obese themselves compared to children of parents with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). However, researchers found slight differences depending on whether one parent is obese and the parent's gender. If the father is obese, children are 3.74 times more likely to be obese; if the mother is obese, the likelihood is 3.44 times.
The Norwegian study included data from two generations of families in midlife, aged 40 to 59. Parents participated in the fourth phase of the study conducted in 1994 and 1995, while their children participated in the seventh phase conducted in 2015 and 2016. Overall, the team used data from over 2000 families consisting of both parents and children, finding that the results imply a genetic relationship to obesity, considering factors such as age, gender, education, and physical activity levels.
A similar study from Norway, published in 2016, which included over 8000 pairs of parents and children, also found a strong correlation between paternal BMI and children's BMI during adolescence. Experts note that the current research does not decisively explain genetic or environmental factors but confirms the existence of correlations, emphasizing that the interaction between genes and the environment is complex.
