Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Body mass index can be explained by genes: Study

The researchers also found a correlation between the average of the father’s and mother’s BMI with that of their child

Body mass index can be explained by genes: Study

ONE'S body mass index (BMI) could be explained genetically, researchers have said after they found a 77 per cent chance of children developing obesity at the age of 17 if their parents had the condition at the same age.

A team of researchers, including those at Tel Aviv University, used data of more than 13 lakh people recorded between 1986 and 2018 during screening before their compulsory military service in Israel.


BMIs of children aged 17 were compared with those of both their parents when they were the same age. Data was available for 24 per cent of over 4.45 lakh trios included in the analysis.

"Among trios in which both parents had a healthy BMI, the prevalence of (being) overweight or obesity in the offspring was 15.4 per cent, this proportion increased to 76.6 per cent when both parents had obesity," the authors wrote in the study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

The researchers also found a correlation between the average of the father's and mother's BMI with that of their child and estimated that BMI was 39 per cent heritable.

The correlation between father-son BMI was found to be 0.273, indicating that a son's BMI could be influenced by the father's by up to 27 per cent.

Further, the authors found a stronger correlation between BMIs of mothers and daughters, compared with those of mothers and sons. Mothers with obesity have been previously linked with higher chances of daughters developing the condition, compared with fathers having obesity.

The result, therefore, underscores gender-specific influences on the heritability of BMI, along with genetic and environmental factors, the authors said. (PTI)

More For You

Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Fire (agni) holds a profound significance in Vedic rituals

iStock

Agni: The sacred science of fire and its transformative power

Ashwini Guruji

Agni, the first word of the Rig Veda, holds a profound significance. It is, in fact, a wondrous element. While most are familiar with fire for its heat and light, very few understand that fire sustains our body and plays a pivotal role in cleansing it and the surrounding elements. Even fewer appreciate its role as a medium to connect with the Devlok (realm of the divine), and hardly anyone explores its potential to manifest changes within and around them. Dhyan Ashram is one such rare place in today’s world where sadhaks (practitioners) experiment with and experience the extraordinary properties of fire.

In Vedic times, yagyas were a routine practice. They were not mere rituals but a precise science designed to invoke and channel the forces of Creation through the medium of fire. The Vedic Shastras detail nearly 400 types of yagyas, each with a specific purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
genomics-iStock

A recent RHO review highlighted significant gaps in health equity data for genomic services. (Representational image: iStock)

NHS study to tackle inequalities in access to genomic medicine

THE NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO) and NHS England have launched an 18-month research project to address disparities faced by ethnic minority groups in accessing genomic medicine.

The initiative will examine racial and ethnic biases in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) through national and regional assessments of health inequalities.

Keep ReadingShow less

Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, has been associated with reduced risks of several conditions, including heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses. (Photo: iStock)
Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, has been associated with reduced risks of several conditions, including heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic illnesses. (Photo: iStock)

Coffee could extend healthy lifespan by nearly two years, study finds

DRINKING coffee may extend a person’s healthy lifespan by almost two years, according to a study published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews. The research, which reviewed previously published studies, concluded that moderate coffee consumption could correspond to an average increase in healthspan of 1.8 years.

Researchers from Portugal highlighted coffee’s potential in promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially as the global population continues to age. "We know that the world's population is ageing faster than ever, which is why it's increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives," said Rodrigo Cunha from the University of Coimbra, who led the study.

Keep ReadingShow less
Focus on ultimate goal
Sadhguru

Focus on ultimate goal

Sadhguru

A FUNDAMENTAL requirement for anybody who wishes to grow on the spiritual path is to create an undeviated flow of energy towards the one and only goal in life – to attain to the highest and not settle for anything less than that.

If there is a person who is capable of channelling himself without any break, he is a blessed one.

Keep ReadingShow less
Helpful healing wisdom
Learning life lessons from one another

Helpful healing wisdom

Mita Mistry

LAUNCHED in January 2024, the Healing Place podcast has been a journey of discovery, connection, and inspiration.

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of hosting 29 episodes featuring 30 incredible guests, each bringing unique perspectives and insights. The conversations and stories shared have been enriching, not only for listeners but also for me as a host.

Keep ReadingShow less