Daughters Learn to Gain Weight from Their Mothers

Girls learn to gain weight from their mothers, according to a new study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Researchers showed that girls aged 4 to 9 were more likely to have high fat mass and high body mass index (BMI) if their mothers had excess adiposity.

Scientists found "a strong association between the fat mass of mothers and their daughters, but not with their sons. These findings highlight that girls born to obese mothers or with large amounts of body fat may be at greater risk of gaining excess body fat," the researchers reported.

Endocrinologist Gisele Lorenzoni explained that obesity is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. "Thus, being the daughter of an obese mother may indeed mean that the girl has characteristics that make her a target for developing overweight in the future," she said.

Therefore, the doctor emphasizes the importance of families developing healthy eating habits, as well as ingraining the practice of physical activity. "These two factors are powerful in combating obesity and, in parallel, preventing other diseases that come with excess weight such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and many others," warned Gisele Lorenzoni.

Researchers measured body fat and muscle in 240 children (nine years or younger) and their parents in early childhood. They used this data to determine whether the body mass index (BMI) and the amount of body fat and muscle of the child were related to those of their parents.

They found that girls had similar BMI and fat mass to their mothers, suggesting that girls born to obese mothers or with high fat mass are at high risk of also developing obesity or overweight. Researchers did not find the same association between boys and their mothers or girls or boys and their fathers.