Obesity risk comes from both parents, with genetics, parental lifestyle, and the prenatal environment all playing significant roles, though some studies suggest mothers' genes might have a slightly stronger influence on a child's BMI, even indirectly, through factors like their own habits during pregnancy. A child's risk significantly increases with two obese parents, highlighting a combination of inherited predispositions, environmental factors (like diet and activity), and the unique signals passed via egg and sperm.
A mother's genetics may play a bigger role in determining whether a child becomes overweight than a father's, as a result of a concept known as genetic nurture, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.
New research shows that daughters, but not sons, appear to inherit a mother's body composition and body mass profile.
Research on families and obesity reveals that children of overweight parents have an 80 percent chance of also being overweight (1).
Obesity is a complex issue with many causes. It's caused when extra calories are stored in the body as fat. If you consume high amounts of energy, particularly found in high fat and high sugar foods, and do not use all of the energy through physical activity, much of the extra energy will be stored in the body as fat.
The traditional diet in Japan is built around a base of rice and other grains, with plentiful consumption of vegetables and fruits, and also fish, but relatively little animal fat, meat and sweets. In Japan, the presentation of the food is very important, and particular attention is given to the colors and textures.
People naturally lose muscle after 40, especially women after menopause. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, this can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to shake those stubborn pounds.
What raises the risk of overweight and obesity?
West Virginia topped WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the most overweight and obese states in the U.S., published Nov. 4, while Colorado is the healthiest-weight state.
Your biological father can pass on physical traits such as your biological sex, eye color, height, puberty timing, fat distribution, dimples, and even risk factors for certain health conditions.
Hourglass is the rarest body type, with only estimated 8% of women having this figure. Here's the thing: hourglass bodies are versatile. The stereotypical hourglass is too narrow of a depiction that often fails to capture the true beauty and diversity of this shape.
These sections of DNA that contain information that determine your physical features are called genes. Since you have two pairs of chromosomes, you also have two pairs of genes, one from your father and one from your mother. These pairs of genes then determine certain physical features or traits.
Although research has revealed a link between parent weight and child weight, the fact is that not all children of overweight parents are overweight themselves. Parents not only give their genetic make-up to their child, they can also have influence through the way they parent their children.
Improving eating habits and increasing physical activity play a vital role in preventing obesity. Recommendations for adults include: Keep a food diary of what you eat, where you were and how you were feeling before and after you ate. Eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Obesity Stage is based on the 4Ms (Mental, Mechanical, Metabolic and Milieu), which quantify the impact of obesity on children's overall health. Use the 4Ms framework to assess Mental, Mechanical, Metabolic, and Milieu drivers, complications, and barriers to weight management.
Dietary changes. Reducing calories and practicing healthier eating habits are key to overcoming obesity. Although you may lose weight quickly at first, steady weight loss over the long term is considered the safest way to lose weight. It's also the best way to keep weight off permanently.
Sleep deprivation has long been linked to an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese. Researchers found that getting less than seven hours of sleep resulted in weight changes and may lead to weight gain, either by increasing food intake or decreasing energy burned.
A few people have high BMIs but don't have much body fat. Their muscle tissue pushes up their weight. Kahan points to very muscular people, like football players or body builders. “Their BMI shows up pretty high, and yet their body fat is actually pretty low," Kahan says.
Adele's significant weight loss wasn't from a quick fix but a two-year journey combining intense strength training, Pilates, hiking, boxing, and cardio, alongside major lifestyle changes focused on managing anxiety, not restrictive diets like the Sirtfood Diet, with workouts happening multiple times daily for mental and physical strength. Her routine included morning weights, afternoon hikes or boxing, and evening cardio, emphasizing getting stronger, which naturally led to fat loss and improved well-being.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
No single body part loses fat first. Everyone loses fat from different places initially, depending on a variety of factors. In general, women may lose fat from their legs first, and men may lose fat from their torsos first — but it's highly individual.
Researchers point to sugar as a major contributor to obesity. It's also been linked to other health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer, says Richter. Tip: Avoid packaged low-fat sweets and opt for whole foods like fruit or homemade snacks with natural ingredients and no added sugar.
Fruits To Avoid When Losing Weight