Daughters have a higher risk of becoming overweight
Daughters have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese than sons if their mother is overweight or obese, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Open.
The study, which analyzed data from over 16,000 parent-child pairs, found that daughters whose mothers were overweight or obese had a 63% higher risk of becoming overweight or obese themselves compared to daughters whose mothers were a healthy weight. Meanwhile, sons had a 37% higher risk if their mothers were overweight or obese.
The study suggests that the link between maternal weight and child weight may be stronger in daughters than in sons, possibly due to differences in how mothers and fathers interact with their children. Previous research has shown that mothers tend to be more involved in their children’s eating habits and physical activity, which may have a greater impact on daughters than on sons.
The findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy, as well as during the postpartum period, in order to reduce the risk of obesity in children. The study’s lead author, Dr. Sneha Sridhar, emphasizes that “it is never too late to make positive lifestyle changes and it is important to start early.”
While the study is observational and cannot prove causation, it adds to a growing body of research linking maternal weight to child weight. A recent meta-analysis of 45 studies found that maternal obesity is associated with a 30-50% increased risk of childhood obesity.
Sources:
Sridhar, S. B., Darbinian, J. A., Ehrlich, S. F., & Markman, M. A. (2022). BMI chart, Maternal overweight and obesity and the risk of offspring overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 12(1), e042998. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042998
BMJ Open. (2022, January 25). Daughters have higher risk of becoming overweight if mother is overweight or obese, study finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 26, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220125091904.htm
Use a BMI Chart or Body Mass Index Chart to find your healthy weight.
The BMI formula is used for men, women and children. For children there are other BMI values than for adults. For adults the Body Mass Index is based on your weight and height and it tells you whether you have a healthy body weight.
BMI calculator
A BMI (body mass index) calculator is a tool that helps individuals determine their overall body mass index, which is a measure of body fat based on a person's weight and height. BMI is an important factor in assessing an individual's health and can be used as a screening tool to identify potential weight-related health problems.
BMI chart
A BMI chart is a useful tool for individuals to quickly and easily assess their body mass index (BMI) score, which is a measure of body fat based on their weight and height. Using a BMI chart can help individuals determine if they are in a healthy weight range or if they may be at risk for weight-related health problems.
Using a BMI chart is an easy way to assess your weight status.
By simply entering your height and weight into the calculator or looking up your height and weight on the chart, you can determine your BMI score and see which weight category you fall into.
