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Obesity 'link to same-sex parent' | Obesity 'link to same-sex parent' |
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There is a strong link in obesity between mothers and daughters and fathers and sons, but not across the gender divide, research suggests. | There is a strong link in obesity between mothers and daughters and fathers and sons, but not across the gender divide, research suggests. |
A study of 226 families by Plymouth's Peninsula Medical School found obese mothers were 10 times more likely to have obese daughters. | A study of 226 families by Plymouth's Peninsula Medical School found obese mothers were 10 times more likely to have obese daughters. |
For fathers and sons, there was a six-fold rise. But in both cases children of the opposite sex were not affected. | For fathers and sons, there was a six-fold rise. But in both cases children of the opposite sex were not affected. |
The researchers believe the link is behavioural rather than genetic. | The researchers believe the link is behavioural rather than genetic. |
They say the findings mean policy on obesity should be re-thought. | They say the findings mean policy on obesity should be re-thought. |
We should be targeting the parents and that is not something we have really done to date Professor Terry Wilkin, report author Send us your comments | We should be targeting the parents and that is not something we have really done to date Professor Terry Wilkin, report author Send us your comments |
Researchers said it was "highly unlikely" that genetics was playing a role in the findings as it would be unusual for them to influence children along gender lines. | Researchers said it was "highly unlikely" that genetics was playing a role in the findings as it would be unusual for them to influence children along gender lines. |
Instead, they said it was probably because of some form of "behavioural sympathy" where daughters copied the lifestyles of their mothers and sons their fathers. | Instead, they said it was probably because of some form of "behavioural sympathy" where daughters copied the lifestyles of their mothers and sons their fathers. |
It is because of this conclusion that experts believe government policy on tackling obesity should be re-thought. | It is because of this conclusion that experts believe government policy on tackling obesity should be re-thought. |
Much of the focus so far in the UK - in terms of targets and monitoring - has been targeted at younger age groups in the belief that obese children become obese adults. | Much of the focus so far in the UK - in terms of targets and monitoring - has been targeted at younger age groups in the belief that obese children become obese adults. |
But the researchers said the assumption ignored the fact that eight in 10 obese adults were not severely overweight when they were children. | But the researchers said the assumption ignored the fact that eight in 10 obese adults were not severely overweight when they were children. |
In fact, they said their findings suggested the opposite was true - that obese adults led to obese children, the International Journal of Obesity reported. | In fact, they said their findings suggested the opposite was true - that obese adults led to obese children, the International Journal of Obesity reported. |
Study leader Professor Terry Wilkin said: "It is the reverse of what we have thought and this has fundamental implications for policy. | Study leader Professor Terry Wilkin said: "It is the reverse of what we have thought and this has fundamental implications for policy. |
"We should be targeting the parents and that is not something we have really done to date." | "We should be targeting the parents and that is not something we have really done to date." |
New direction | New direction |
His team took weight and height measurements for children and parents over a three-year period. | His team took weight and height measurements for children and parents over a three-year period. |
Segen Yosf has been on an obesity-awareness course: 'If your mum's not healthy you won't be healthy' | Segen Yosf has been on an obesity-awareness course: 'If your mum's not healthy you won't be healthy' |
They found that 41% of the eight-year-old daughters of obese mothers were obese, compared to 4% of girls with normal-weight mothers. There was no difference in the proportion for boys. | They found that 41% of the eight-year-old daughters of obese mothers were obese, compared to 4% of girls with normal-weight mothers. There was no difference in the proportion for boys. |
For boys, 18% of the group with obese fathers were also obese, compared to just 3% for those with normal-weight fathers. Again, there was no difference in the proportion for girls. | For boys, 18% of the group with obese fathers were also obese, compared to just 3% for those with normal-weight fathers. Again, there was no difference in the proportion for girls. |
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "This is telling the government that they now have to look for a new direction. | Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "This is telling the government that they now have to look for a new direction. |
"We have to make sure parents are in a good condition to bring up their children in a normal manner." | "We have to make sure parents are in a good condition to bring up their children in a normal manner." |
He said he wanted to see more interventions like the one introduced this year offering vouchers to pregnant women for healthy food. | He said he wanted to see more interventions like the one introduced this year offering vouchers to pregnant women for healthy food. |
The Department of Health insisted it was already targeting parents through the Change4Life campaign, which was launched at the start of the year and brings together a host of local healthy lifestyle initiatives. | The Department of Health insisted it was already targeting parents through the Change4Life campaign, which was launched at the start of the year and brings together a host of local healthy lifestyle initiatives. |
A spokesman added: "The obesity epidemic is one of the most challenging public health issues we face." | A spokesman added: "The obesity epidemic is one of the most challenging public health issues we face." |