Genetic nurturing effect...Mother's genes have a greater impact on child overweight and obesity than father's genes
Aug 06, 2025
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According to a study by Dr. Liam Wright's team at University College London (UCL) published in the scientific journal PLOS Genetics, the mother's gene was found to have a significant impact on her child's weight beyond the genetic characteristics passed on.
The research team used genetic and health data from 2621 families who participated in the Millennium Cohort Study of British Birth Cohort Study from 2001 to 2002 to investigate how parents' body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related genes affect their children's weight and eating habits from birth to the age of 17.
The relationship between parents' BMI and their children's birth weight, BMI, and eating habits was investigated six times during childhood and adolescence (3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17 years old), and how often and how much food groups such as fruits, vegetables, fast food, and sugary drinks were consumed was also evaluated.
According to the survey, the BMI of mothers and fathers was consistently positively correlated at a level similar to that of children, and most of this trend can be explained by genes inherited directly from parents. In addition, as a result of analyzing the effect of genes not delivered to children among mother and father's genes on their children's BMI, the father had little association, but the mother's genes directly affected the child's BMI at 25-50% of the genetic effect.
In response to these results, the research team explained that even if the mother's genes are not passed on to the child, it may be the effect of 'genetic nurture' that affects the child's development by affecting the formation of a parenting environment. The mother's genes can affect her weight, diet, and behavior during pregnancy, which can affect her child's development and long-term health.
"In particular, if the mother's BMI is lowered through customized interventions during pregnancy, the intergenerational impact of obesity can be reduced," Dr. Wright said.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
