You may want to remember to thank your parents next time you step on the scale. Researchers have found that children of thin parents have a significantly greater likelihood of staying slim and trim. The study, from University College London, appears in the recent issue of Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Previous studies have revealed that children of parents who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of being predisposed to having weight problems themselves. In fact, some research suggests that specific genes are the culprit for passing on those extra pounds. However, scientists point out that the gain of obesity over the past three decades among the worldwide population cannot be blamed on genes alone.
Although family history can provide helpful information as to risk factors for obesity, as well as for heart disease and diabetes, eating a poor diet and lacking sufficient exercise also play a strong role in the ever-growing problem of weight control.
For their study, the researchers analyzed data from an annual survey of households in England. During the period from 2001 to 2006, they collected height and weight information from over 4,400 families having more than 7,000 children, then calculated their BMI.
Findings indicated that children of parents who are both thin, have double the likelihood of also being thin in comparison to those having parents who are heavy. Similarly, children with parents who are overweight or obese had a much slimmer chance of being on the light end of the scale.
In their report, the study authors write, “We found evidence of a strong family association, with most thin children and adolescents coming from families in which both parents were thinner than average.”
The study found that children having both parents in the lower half of the healthy weight range had a 16.2 percent high chance of being thin, compared to a 7.8 percent chance when both parents were in the upper half of the healthy weight range.
For children having two overweight parents, their odds of being thin was found to be only 5.3 percent and just 2.5 percent for those having two obese parents. There were no findings that a single parent’s weight had more influence on the weight of their child.
Regarding the reasoning behind the study results, researcher Jane Wardle, a professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the university, explained “Parents are often concerned if their child is thin, but it may just be their ‘skinny genes’. All genes have two versions, called alleles. We might think of weight-related genes as having a ‘skinny’ and ‘curvy’ allele. Thinner parents are likely to have more of the skinny alleles, increasing the chance of passing them on to their children. A child who inherits more of the skinny alleles from their parents will be naturally thinner.”
With the obesity epidemic becoming more widespread every day, rates are projected to soar in the coming years. Focusing on following a healthy lifestyle is the key to the preservation of health and life. Eating healthy and being routinely active are the best prescription for shedding extra pounds. Parents that set a healthy example for their children help to provide them with their strongest weapon in the battle against the bulge.
Previous studies have revealed that children of parents who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of being predisposed to having weight problems themselves. In fact, some research suggests that specific genes are the culprit for passing on those extra pounds. However, scientists point out that the gain of obesity over the past three decades among the worldwide population cannot be blamed on genes alone.
Although family history can provide helpful information as to risk factors for obesity, as well as for heart disease and diabetes, eating a poor diet and lacking sufficient exercise also play a strong role in the ever-growing problem of weight control.
For their study, the researchers analyzed data from an annual survey of households in England. During the period from 2001 to 2006, they collected height and weight information from over 4,400 families having more than 7,000 children, then calculated their BMI.
Findings indicated that children of parents who are both thin, have double the likelihood of also being thin in comparison to those having parents who are heavy. Similarly, children with parents who are overweight or obese had a much slimmer chance of being on the light end of the scale.
In their report, the study authors write, “We found evidence of a strong family association, with most thin children and adolescents coming from families in which both parents were thinner than average.”
The study found that children having both parents in the lower half of the healthy weight range had a 16.2 percent high chance of being thin, compared to a 7.8 percent chance when both parents were in the upper half of the healthy weight range.
For children having two overweight parents, their odds of being thin was found to be only 5.3 percent and just 2.5 percent for those having two obese parents. There were no findings that a single parent’s weight had more influence on the weight of their child.
Regarding the reasoning behind the study results, researcher Jane Wardle, a professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the university, explained “Parents are often concerned if their child is thin, but it may just be their ‘skinny genes’. All genes have two versions, called alleles. We might think of weight-related genes as having a ‘skinny’ and ‘curvy’ allele. Thinner parents are likely to have more of the skinny alleles, increasing the chance of passing them on to their children. A child who inherits more of the skinny alleles from their parents will be naturally thinner.”
With the obesity epidemic becoming more widespread every day, rates are projected to soar in the coming years. Focusing on following a healthy lifestyle is the key to the preservation of health and life. Eating healthy and being routinely active are the best prescription for shedding extra pounds. Parents that set a healthy example for their children help to provide them with their strongest weapon in the battle against the bulge.
