DNA is the primary mechanism of inheritance; kids get half their genes from mom and half from dad. However, scientists are just starting to understand additional kinds of inheritance like metabolic programming, which occurs when an insult during a critical period of development, either in the womb or soon after birth, triggers permanent changes in metabolism.
In this study, the researchers looked at the effects of a diet high in saturated fat on mice and their offspring. As expected, they found that a high-fat diet induced type 2 diabetes in the adult mice and that this effect was reversed by stopping the diet.
However, if female mice continued a high-fat diet during pregnancy and/or suckling, their offspring also had a greater frequency of diabetes development, even though the offspring were given a moderate-fat diet. These mice were then mated with healthy mice, and the next generation offspring (grandchildren of the original high-fat fed generation) could develop diabetes as well.
In effect, exposing a fetal mouse to high levels of saturated fats can cause it and its offspring to acquire diabetes, even if the mouse goes off the high-fat diet and its young are never directly exposed.
The study used mice so it's not time to warn women to eat differently during pregnancy and breastfeeding but earlier research has shown that this kind of inheritance is at work in humans. For example, there is an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in children born of malnourished mothers.
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Lindley Owen, Consultant in Public Health at Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, said: "Staying a healthy weight can be a fun and relatively easy thing to do, even as people get older. People don't have to join a gym or take on complicated new diets. There are many everyday opportunities to stay active through regular walking, gardening or social groups, while eating fresh, nutritious food is enjoyable at any age.
"Our experience of running supported walking and cycling groups has shown that older people benefit in many ways from regular physical activity. Not only do they get fitter and physically stronger but the enjoyment of spending time with friends in the open air can give new confidence and a real zest for life.
"People are living longer but this study shows that excess weight can have a real impact on the quality of people's lives which can reduce the benefit of those extra years. We must do all we can to encourage older friends or relatives to build enjoyable exercise into their daily routine and develop good habits ourselves to take into our retirement years. People can visit www.strollbacktheyears or www.healthpromcornwall (01209 313419) for more advice."
Dr Gill Lewendon, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Plymouth Teaching PCT, added: "This report highlights the problem of obesity in an increasingly ageing population. The PCT and City Council work closely with a wide range of voluntary and statutory agencies to provide increased opportunities for everyone to eat more healthily and to move around a bit more. For those who are already very overweight or obese, the PCT provides a comprehensive weight management service for people of all ages. "
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