A groundbreaking study has revealed that boys who become overweight during early adolescence may unknowingly pass on health risks to their future children, including asthma, obesity, and reduced lung function.
Published in Nature Communications Biology, the study is the first of its kind to identify a biological link between a father’s weight gain in adolescence and genetic changes in his offspring.
How the Study Was Conducted
Researchers from the University of Southampton and the University of Bergen analyzed the epigenetic profiles — changes in gene expression — of 339 individuals aged 7 to 51. They assessed body fat changes in the participants’ fathers during puberty using self-reported body image as an indicator.
The findings showed that when fathers gained weight in early adolescence, their children exhibited epigenetic changes at more than 2,000 DNA sites across nearly 2,000 genes. These genes are linked to fat cell development and fat metabolism. The changes were more significant in daughters than in sons, affecting different sets of genes.
“These modifications in how DNA is packaged can alter how genes are switched on or off,” explained Dr. Negusse Tadesse Kitaba, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. “And these changes were associated with conditions like obesity and asthma in their children.”
Why Puberty Matters
The study highlights puberty as a sensitive developmental window, especially for boys. This is when sperm production begins, and researchers believe that lifestyle choices during this time — such as poor diet and weight gain — can lead to long-lasting changes that affect the next generation.
Public Health Implications
“This could be a game-changer in public health intervention strategies,” said Professor Cecilie Svanes of the University of Bergen. “Failing to address obesity in teenage boys today could lead to long-term health problems in future generations.”
Professor John Holloway, also from the University of Southampton, emphasized the global relevance: “With childhood obesity on the rise around the world, these findings show that it’s not just today’s youth who are at risk, but also their future children.”
The study was funded by the Norwegian Research Council and adds to growing evidence that parental health before conception plays a critical role in shaping the health outcomes of future generations.
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