Is Obesity Passed Down From Parents?

by Maggie Vink (Subscribe to Maggie Vink's posts)
Jul 15th 2009 12:00PM

Photo: donjd2, Flickr

So you have your mother's eyes and your father's nose -- but could your extra pounds be attributed to a parent, too?

Recent research has found a link between obesity and parents. Specifically, obese mothers were 10 times more likely to have obese daughters; similarly, obese fathers were six times more likely to have obese sons. But, like hair color, eyes and height, is obesity passed down through genes? Researchers think that's highly unlikely. Instead, they feel children are more likely to follow the behavior of their parent of the same sex.

You know how your kids are -- very little escapes their attention. Kids pick up on cues from their parents and, often, they glom on to the less-than-desirable habits. Most parents can recall a time when they let a swear word slip and the next thing they know, their toddler is repeating that word all over town. The same holds true for eating and exercise habits.

When you develop an active lifestyle that includes family-based exercise time, as well as solo exercise time (that your kids are aware of), you're setting a positive example for a lifetime of physical activity. Serving healthful meals and selecting nutritious snacks for yourself goes a long way, too. Not only are you giving your kids healthy foods -- they see that your personal choices are nutritious as well.

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Comments (99)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

Neil 7-19-2009 @ 2:02PM

If you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight. Obesity is a mental, not physical, illness.

Karol 7-19-2009 @ 7:15AM

I have lost 101 lbs to date.. did most of it on my own, when I couldn't do the rest I consulted my doctor.
So far so good. My Bld pressure is normal.. hypo glasimic and that hasn't flared in a long long time.

Many of the things we THINK

Sue 7-19-2009 @ 9:15PM

Congradulations! I too am overweight and know the strugle of losing weight & KEEPING it off. My hat is off to you!

JUDY 7-19-2009 @ 7:28AM

Whatever your condition, you must take responsibility for it. My parents did have a degree of obesity but not like me. I never thought it would happen to me but it did and more. I gained a great deal of weight after each child's birth. (4) children later I weighed nearly 300 lbs. I went to fasting programs and many weight loss programs and was successful with all of them, only to gain the weight back. I began to consider my own ideas about me. I stopped eating meat which is packed with growth hormones. Experts deny that those pass to human beings but I thought that in my case, they had. I took off weight and never gained it back. I no longer have insane cravings for food. Go figure, it worked for me.

myra 7-19-2009 @ 8:09AM

I found NW's comment very insensitive. Some people have real weight issues and just eating a salad once in a while, is not the answer. Weight loss is a real challenge for people who, as this article states, has a genetic predisposition to it. But that does not mean that you are condemned to obesity. Those with a genetic predisposition must most definitely consciously watch what they eat, control portions and be sure to get enough exercise. It is a lot of work but it can be done. It is frustrating that you can't necessarily be like your more genetically blessed spouse or friend and relax about eating, but you can overcoming your genetic shortcomings if you are willing to make the effort.

PJ 7-19-2009 @ 10:12AM

You are an idiot. Read the article. It says that scientists do NOT think it is genetic...it is largely behavioral (i.e. you see your mom shoving her face so you think it is ok to do the same thing). N W is on the money. Is it really that much harder to open a bag of spinach over a bag of potato chips?

kathy 7-19-2009 @ 3:05PM

Not knowing how many (or how little) calories you are consuming through out each day is what I believe to be the key factor. You can knock yourself out exercising, but if you are eating too little to burn those calories, your body will store every one of them in spite of it. I found www.sparkpeople.com...no gimmick..its all free, but it does keep track of all of your foods, cal, fats, carbs, proteins etc, and I have been able to print out a daily report with a chart as well. It has been really eye opening. The first day I kept track of my meals (and I eat very little-no breakfast..little lunch, dinner-no soda, only diet or coffee or water-Im a great cook so dinners are very balanced) I realized I did NOT make the Minimum required calories for the day, and I thought I ate a lot-and I did compared to my normal eating habits-it was still not enough. This sight figures your BMI, and weight goals and then suggests meal plans with a lot of substitute foods with their portion sizes and nutritional info and values. I have just been doing this for a week, but already am eating so healthy that I can feel the difference. I am trying to form a better way of eating to be healthy and to lose some weight. This sight is a no brainer! You can look them up on wikipedia. Its so simple and actually seeing what I am eating, helps me to eat better. And to anyone slamming overweight and obese people...Im glad that your life is so perfect that it gives you all this time to make your judgmental and hurtful and hateful comments...walk a mile...or a foot in our shoes. Its not ALL about appearances.

marber12454 7-19-2009 @ 8:10AM

Personal responsibility is no longer an option. We now have, 'it's not your fault.' What nonsense. Obesity is caused by the person stuffing his/her face with food that is not necessary to sustain life. Over eating, over indulging an appetite and self satisfaction is the cause of obesity and any authority that tells the obese it is not their fault is no authority on anything and is merely aiding the obese. The stupidity of blaming heredity is galling

johnwl2002 7-19-2009 @ 11:34AM

While I considered a polite response to your ridiculous post it and you really don't deserve one. You must live in some kind of perfect world or vacuum to be unaware of people who have medical illnesses that require medications known to have a direct effect on appetite. Steroids and anti-psychotics are two I know of. Most likely others exist as well. How fortunate your health is such you have never required this type of intervention. But your knowledge of medicine is too limited to be making any comments.

Joe 7-19-2009 @ 8:23AM

Wow, N W's comments show the entire world what an angry person they are. This person is so caught up in slamming other people for being overweight when all the while they are just a food server probably in a fast food establishment to boot. Get a grip
N W because you obviously have issues with your own self.
People who are secure in their lives don't bash others.

Nancy 7-19-2009 @ 8:24AM

MYRA................The truth hurts doesnt it....Obesity is not pretty..
According to my endrocronologist....98 percent of FAT PEOPLE do not have a medical problem....its just plain over eating....so stop stuffing yourselves and come up for air.....

Nancy 7-19-2009 @ 8:26AM

JOE...by the way... I work in fine dining not fast food you moron..
Its ignorant people like you that make the world go round...
MORON....eat a salad..then you will stop whining why your so fat..

twerpster5 7-19-2009 @ 10:11AM

No, Nancy, it's ignorant people like you that make the world go round...people like you who keep discrimination and needless hate up and running. Regardless of where you work or what you do, I'm sure there's something about you (besides your completely unnecessary hatred of overweight people) that could be used to hurt you just the same way you hurt overweight people. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Remember that.

PJ 7-19-2009 @ 11:03AM

No, twerpster5. You are wrong. Nancy is right. Also, please stop with the "glass houses" business. Obese people don't want healthy people to "throw stones" only because they are too fat to throw anything back. I agree that discrimination is wrong for things that can NOT be changed (i.e. race, gender, etc.), but obesity is something that can be corrected by a healthy lifestyle and SHOULD BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

Beatrice 7-19-2009 @ 11:37AM

Nancy, you still are just a food server and are dependent on those that you serve....the fatties you serve can afford to eat at your fine dining establishment, while you can only cater to them and pick up their dirty plates. The fatties can afford to fine dine because they are much more intelligent then you and more educated. 'Cause I surely hope you are not wasting your Masters degree serving food. Or doing Meth in your basement......

BKNY! 7-19-2009 @ 3:03PM

Nancy Shoneys is not fine dining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phyllis Clark 7-19-2009 @ 8:35AM

Judy, thank you. You are right on target !

christine 7-19-2009 @ 8:50AM

FIRST OF ALL IT COULD BE IF ONE PARENT WAS HEAVY ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN COULD BE ETC.. BUT ITS WHAT YOU EAT AND HOW MUCH YOU EAT! ITS NOT VERY NICE TO PICK ON SOMEONE WHO IS OBESE, ITS A DISEASE JUST LIKE DRUGS OR DRINKING!! AS FOR SALADS DO THEY FILL YOU UP, NOT REALLY IVE BEEN HEAVY FOR SOME YEARS NOW IVE BEEN ON EVERY DIET IMAGINABLE, I ATE SALADS FRUITS VEGGIES LOST 1POUND IN TWO WEEKS TELL ME NOW HOW DOES THAT HELP ME OUT!! NOW I EAT WHAT I WANT BUT DONT OVERDULGE IN IT, ALOT OF PEOPLE USE FOOD FOR COMFORT, ETC. JUST DONT THINK ITS VERY NICE TO CALL PEOPLE FATTIES, FATSO, ETC. WHAT IF YOU WERE AN ALCOHOLIC OR DRUGGIE OR KNEW SOMEONE WHO WAS WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE CALLED AN ALKIE, OR DRUGGIE ETC.... JUST DONT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN BE SO CRUEL!!!!!

PJ 7-19-2009 @ 11:35AM

No, christine. It is not because you have an obese parent. READ what the article actually says. It is NOT genetic, it is behavioral. Obesity is NOT a disease, it is a lack of self control. Are you seriously trying to defend yourself by sticking up for the drug addicts and alcoholics? Those names people call you (and drug addicts and alcoholics) are just the truth...if you don't want it to be your truth why don't you try a healthy lifestyle.

Katherine 7-19-2009 @ 8:49AM

Nancy,,, maybe if us fat people didnt leave you a big tip,,to make up for the low pay you get,,you wouldn't be so mean to other's.
Get out in the real world Nancy,,see how other people live..people like you make me sick,,you want our money and then talk about us,,may you never get another tip.