Understanding Obesity Through Generational Inheritance

While?environmental and behavioral factors?such as diet, physical activity, and access to calorie-dense foods are acknowledged to contribute to obesity, a study conducted by the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) reveals a significant likelihood of its?heritability?across generations.?This research underscores the complex interplay involved in the transmission of obesity, highlighting the necessity for multifaceted intervention strategies, particularly in light of the escalating global obesity epidemic.

Examined at the European Congress on Obesity, the study investigates the impact of midlife obesity on over 2,000 families. So far, the research has revealed that?children of parents with midlife obesity are six times more likely to inherit obesity at the same age compared to those with parents within a healthy BMI range.? ?Even with only one parent affected by midlife obesity,?this risk persists, tripling that of a person?without a family history of midlife obesity.

The research delves into the correlation between parents' and children's Body Mass Index (BMI) scores, highlighting a direct relationship between parental BMI and children's weight outcomes. For instance, for every 4-point increase in the mother's BMI, their children's BMI increases by 0.8 points. Similarly, a 3.1-point increase in the father's BMI corresponds to a 0.74-point increase in their children's BMI. These findings underscore the critical role of parental BMI in influencing children's weight outcomes, indicating the intergenerational transmission of obesity risk within families.

Further delving into the impact of environmental factors?on genetic predisposition, Peter Katzmarzyk, Spokesperson of The Obesity Society, asserts that the current research builds on previous studies regarding the impact of?fructose on?humancells. ?This has led to the formulation of the "fructose survival hypothesis," aiming to the rapid increase in obesity rates. He emphasizes the study's importance by showcasing familial similarities in middle age, expanding the range of correlations between parents and offspring observed in earlier research on related obesity measures.

Despite the compelling associations observed, researchers caution against drawing conclusive causal effects, acknowledging the complexity of the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in obesity transmission. Studies have long shown that genetics play a role in obesity, but environmental and behavioral factors, such as diet, physical activity, and access to calorie-dense foods, are also significant predictors.

Obesity is a global health concern, affecting over one billion people, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO .. Obesity has outpaced underweight concerns in numerous nations, including low- and middle-income countries grappling with historical challenges of undernourishment.?

In?Mexico, ?data from the 2020 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) is alarming: a substantial 72.1% of individuals aged over 20 are overweight or obese, according to Mexico's Ministry of Health (SSA). If current trends persist, World Obesity warns that more than 40% of Mexican children aged 5 to 19 could face obesity by 2030, as reported by MBN.

As global obesity rates persist in their upward trajectory, the severity of associated health risks, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, anxiety, depression, and heart disease, is on the rise. This not only accentuates the urgency of tackling this prevalent global health issue but also underscores the imperative for effective interventions to address the escalating obesity crisis.?

Projections specific to Mexico indicate a significant surge in diabetes and heart disease cases by 2050, accompanied by?estimated healthcare costs soaring to US$1.2 billion and US$1.7 billion in 2030 and 2050, respectively.? Illustrating the economic impact, even a modest 1% reduction in BMI prevalence has the potential to save US$43 million in healthcare costs by 2030 and US$85 million by 2050, according to Research Gate.