Summary
This narrative review examines the contribution of heritable genetic and epigenetic patterns to childhood obesity susceptibility. The authors synthesise evidence that maternal obesity, overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation, and pre-conception environmental exposures can reprogram epigenetic architecture and transmit obesity susceptibility to offspring independently of purely genetic inheritance. The review emphasises that environmental factors such as maternal malnutrition, hypoxia, and endocrine disruptor exposure during critical developmental windows may programme childhood adipose tissue and influence long-term obesity risk.
Regional applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK clinical practice and public health, as the mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and maternal environmental influences on childhood obesity are universal biological phenomena. Understanding these pathways could inform UK prevention strategies targeting pregnant women and early childhood nutrition, though the review does not assess UK-specific prevalence data or policy implementation.
Key measures
Obesity prevalence; genetic predisposition; epigenetic inheritance mechanisms; maternal obesity/overnutrition effects; environmental exposure factors (malnutrition, hypoxia, hormones, endocrine disruptors); adipose tissue programming
Outcomes reported
The narrative review synthesised evidence on how inherited genetic and epigenetic patterns contribute to obesity susceptibility in children, with emphasis on maternal nutritional and environmental factors during pregnancy and early postnatal periods.
Topic tags
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