Date Published:
7 February 2008 |
Genes are a big influence in child obesity (Cancer Research)
Nature is more important than nurture in determining whether a child will
become overweight, according to a new study reported in
the American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition.
Lead author Professor Jane Wardle, director of Cancer Research UK's Health
Behaviour Research Centre, looked at over 5000 pairs of twins, and found that
variation in children's body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were
77% attributable to genes and 23% attributable to the environment
in which the children were growing up.
Child weight is of great concern because children who are overweight are likely
to become overweight or obese adults and this can contribute to ill health
and increase cancer risk in later life. Obesity has been linked to a range
of cancers including breast, womb and kidney.
The study was funded by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and
the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Professor Wardle, who is based at University College London, said:
" We
looked at identical pairs of twins who share all their genes and compared their
measurements with non-identical pairs of twins who only share half their genes.
Contrary to the widespread assumption that family environment is the key factor
in determining weight gain, we found this was not the case.
This study shows that it is wrong to place all the blame for a child’s
excessive weight gain on the parents; it is more likely to be due to the child’s
genetic susceptibility.
These results do not mean that a child with a high complement of 'susceptibility
genes' will inevitably become overweight, but that their genetic endowment
gives them a stronger predisposition. In today's environment – which
provides unprecedented opportunities for all children to overeat and be sedentary – it
is not surprising these tendencies result in weight gain."
It is therefore especially important to provide to best possible environment
for all children to help protect those who are at higher genetic risk."
Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information, said:
" This
research highlights the importance of doing all we can to encourage children
to eat healthily. If genetic influence is strong we must try to counter these
inherited tendencies by providing the healthiest possible environment, and
educating parents on the importance of a well-balanced diet and an active lifestyle.
Parents of children who show early weight gain may need additional support
to provide the best context for their children to grow up healthy.
We know that obesity is an important risk factor for a number of cancers
so it is important for us all to do what we can to reduce our risk of the disease
by eating healthily and maintaining an active lifestyle to avoid being overweight
or obese. "
Cancer Research UK
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is
to beat cancer.
*
Cancer Research UK carries out world-class research to improve
understanding of the disease and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat
different kinds
of cancer.
* Cancer Research UK ensures that its findings are used to improve the lives
of all cancer patients.
* Cancer Research UK helps people to understand cancer, the progress that is
being made and the choices each person can make.
* Cancer Research UK works in partnership with others to achieve the greatest
impact in the global fight against cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how
to support the charity, please call 020 7009 8820 or visit their website (link
at bottom of this page).
News is included
on the IvyRose website to inform visitors about current health
issues, but not to endorse
any particular
view or activity. The views stated in the article above are
not necessarily those of IvyRose Ltd.. Material in this news item was released
by
Cancer Research UK on
07 February 2008 and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length,
and/or for ease of understanding
by our international readers) for inclusion here. For further
information, please visit their website using the link below.
|
