A new small study suggests that weight in men can affect important genes that can pass on obesity to his child. The way genes are expressed was different between men of normal weight and men who were obese, which affects gene regions linked to brain development and appetite control. It is common that an obese father has an obese child and genetics is partially responsible for this. This study analyzed how genetics plays a role in obesity by using epigenetics, "chemical mechanisms that determine whether a gene is active or dormant at certain times." Epigenetic patterns can be inhereited, but can also be altered with diet and exercise.
There were 13 men of normal weight and 10 obese men whose sperm was studied. There was an evident difference in the DNA methylation in their sperm and it was found to be linked to genes related to appetite control. In further testing, the researchers studied a group of obese men who went through immense weight loss and found a "dramatic" difference in the DNA methylation of their sperm. In essence, not only the health of the mom matters during conception and pregnancy.
Overall, this is helpful research because it can prevent childhood obesity and other serious health conditions related to it. Further research should be conducted because I feel there was not a large enough sample size in this experiment to support this hypothesis. It is incredible how two of the same genes can be expressed differently through different DNA methylation patterns and I think it is beneficial for geneticists to study this occurrence closely to help children become healthier from birth.
While genetics certainly could play a large roll in weight, nurture likely plays a larger roll in the development of food habits as a child. A child grown off of fast foods and junk is significantly likely to carry over that diet over to adulthood where the negative effects will continue to compound.
ReplyDeleteThis study has great potential in my opinion because it gives hope for those who do struggle with weight that their children might not have to have this issues as well as a result of their reproduction. As the study shows, a father can lose a substantial amount of weight before conception and it shows to have a great effect on the offspring on whether these obesity genes are passed on / expressed.
ReplyDeleteThis article raises can raise a lot of other questions as well. For instance, if an obese male goes through a body transformation, will this gene still be expressed the same way. Or the opposite. Other than that, how the child is raised usually plays a huge role in eating habits later in life.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic. I think much more goes into it than genes but to see that the DNA actually changed as an obese person became more healthy with weight loss is amazing. I think as children grow up, apart from the genes they get from their parents on appetite control, the parents influence on the child can also impact their development as well. I do not believe it is okay to blame genetics from being obese. A person can absolutely lose weight or attempt to control their weight if they tried hard enough. It is a lifestyle choice.
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