DOUBLE TROUBLE
You’re SIX times more likely to be obese if your parents are – as genes DO play a role, scientists find
Experts say your parents' genes and eating habits are probably both to blame
IF your parents are fat it’s likely you will be too, according to a study.
People have a six times higher chance of being obese in middle-age if their mum and dad were also chubby in their 40s and 50s, it showed.
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The risk was three to four-fold higher if only one parent was large.
Decades of data from 2,068 Norwegian families suggests obesity can be inherited.
Study author Mari Mikkelsen, from the Arctic University of Norway, said: “We found that obesity can be transmitted between generations.
Children copy parents' eating and exercise habits
“Genes play an important role in our susceptibility to weight gain and influence how we react in environments where it is easy to eat unhealthily.
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“Some studies suggest that children develop similar diet and exercise habits to their parents when they all live together.
“Then obesity in childhood, and especially adolescence, tends to follow them into adulthood and middle age.”
The study started in 1994 and looked at parents between the ages of 40 and 59, then later their children when they reached that age in 2015.
It measured people’s body mass index (BMI) height-to-weight ratio, which gets higher the fatter someone is.
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A “strong association” showed the adult child’s BMI was 0.8 points higher for every additional four points on their mum’s score or every 3.4 on their dad’s.
Whatever the reason for this, it underlines the importance of preventing obesity
Mari Mikkelsen
A healthy BMI is between 19 and 25 but two out of three Brits are overweight and half of those are obese.
People aged 45 to 74 are fattest, with just 27 per cent measuring a healthy weight.
The NHS says some genes are linked to obesity but it is mostly caused by eating junk food and not exercising enough.
PhD researcher Ms Mikkelson, who will present her study at the European Congress on Obesity, added: “Our study can’t establish whether obesity transmitting between generations is due to genes or environment, but it is most likely a combination of the two.
“Whatever the explanation, our finding that it can last into adulthood underlines the importance of preventing and treating it.”
The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight
FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.
But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.
In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...
- Don't skip breakfast
Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. - Eat regular meals
Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. - Eat plenty of fruit and veg
Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. - Get more active
Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. - Drink lots of water
People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. - Eat high fibre foods
Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. - Read food labels
Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. - Use a smaller plate
Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. - Don't ban foods
Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. - Don't stock junk food
To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. - Cut down on alcohol
A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. - Plan your meals
Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list.
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