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OSLO, NORWAY: A groundbreaking study conducted in Norway suggests that parents’ weight status significantly influences their children’s risk of obesity in middle age. The research, which will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Venice, Austria, reveals that individuals are six times more likely to live with obesity in middle age if both their parents had obesity at the same age.
Led by Mari Mikkelsen of UiT Arctic University of Norway, the study analyzed data from the Tromsø Study, a long-term health study initiated in 1974. Examining information on 2,068 parent-child trios, researchers discovered a robust correlation between parents’ body mass index (BMI) and their child’s BMI and obesity status in middle age.
According to the findings, individuals whose parents both had obesity during middle age were six times more likely to live with obesity at the same age. Even if only one parent had obesity, the child’s risk of obesity increased by over threefold. These observations remained significant after adjusting for various factors such as age, education level, and physical activity.
While the study couldn’t pinpoint whether genetics or environment played a predominant role in this intergenerational transmission of obesity risk, Mikkelsen emphasized the likely combination of both factors. She highlighted the role of genes in determining susceptibility to weight gain and how environmental factors, such as dietary and exercise habits, can exacerbate this susceptibility.
The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to combat rising obesity levels, emphasizing prevention efforts among children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Veronica Johnson, Assistant Professor of General Internal Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, stressed the importance of addressing disparities in obesity prevalence, particularly among Black and Latino populations disproportionately affected by the disease.
Racism, discrimination, and associated stressors have been identified as contributors to obesity risk, necessitating targeted interventions aimed at these communities. Johnson emphasized the need for ongoing efforts to address both the overall prevalence of obesity and specific disparities in affected populations.
Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of lifestyle interventions, including healthful nutrition, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time, in managing weight among children and adults alike. Despite recent recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is still resistance to utilizing treatment options such as medications and bariatric surgery in children.
The study’s findings shed light on the complex interplay of factors contributing to obesity risk and underscore the importance of tailored interventions to mitigate the impact of parents’ weight status on their children’s health outcomes.
