Obesity is a serious public health issue in India. According to the World Obesity Atlas report, about 41 million children in the country suffer from obesity, and India ranks second after China in this regard. This disease arises from poor dietary habits and a deteriorating lifestyle, but the question arises: can a person who maintains a healthy lifestyle develop the condition if their parents are overweight?
Dr. Ajit Kumar Jain, an associate professor at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Delhi, answered this question. Dr. Jain notes that if parents are overweight, the probability of children developing obesity increases manifold. Studies indicate that the main causes of this phenomenon are genetics and family eating habits.
If both parents were obese between the ages of 30 and 40, the risk of obesity in children of the same age increases by approximately six times compared to children of healthy parents. If only one parent is overweight, the risk increases three to three and a half times.
Dr. Jain explains that if genes associated with obesity are inherited from parents, a person may face this risk between the ages of 40 and 59. Nevertheless, due to modern unhealthy lifestyles and fast food consumption, this risk can manifest at an earlier age, i.e., in childhood or between the ages of 10 and 19, although this does not happen in every case. Nonetheless, those whose parents suffer from obesity should be vigilant.
To prevent obesity, it is recommended to monitor nutrition by reducing fat content and increasing protein intake in the diet. It is also important to engage in physical exercise for at least 45 minutes daily, avoid mental stress, and maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule.