Overweight Children: Stop Blaming Parents?

A fascinating study in the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition clearly points the finger at nature rather than nurture when it comes to childhood weight.

The British research compared pairs of twins (both identical and non-identical) and found that many differences in BMI and waist circumference could be attributed to genes.

In the words of the researchers: "Quantitative genetic model-fitting confirmed substantial heritability for BMI and WC [waist circumference] (77% for both)"

"These results do not mean that a child with a high complement of 'susceptibility genes' will inevitably become overweight, but that their genetic endowment gives them a stronger predisposition," the researchers said.

I have no doubt that some of us have a strong tendency to gain weight easily - and this is something that can be inherited. With my own eyes I see some children consume loads of junk food and do little physical activity - and yet remain thin.

I see others who spend considerable time every day engaged in physical activity along with a predominantly healthy and correctly apportioned diet - and yet they battle with weight gain right from the beginning.

It's a cop out to call someone lazy or unmotivated if they are overweight. In the same way some people gain muscle easily - others gain fat easily. They may have to pay special attention with diet, while others don't think about it at all.