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Genetics plays a huge role in shaping our bodies. This is probably why parents nowadays are concerned about keeping their health optimum, so they pass on healthy genes to their kids. Even though which gene the baby takes after is not in your hands, recently, scientists have come up with the conclusion that kids take after the father’s height and the mother’s weight. Initially, it was believed that if you feed your infant a diet full of healthy foods, they will be able to maximize the potential height of their genes, and if a child has a bad diet, they may not grow as tall as their parents did. But, according to the results of a study, the height of a child is a “legacy” passed down from dad. Here in this article, we would like to share the stunning discovery about our genetic distribution that will surely interest you. Read on to know more about how these genes are passed on from the parents and how to make sure your child can use these genes to their full potential.
If The Father Is Tall, The Kids Have A Higher Chance Of Getting His Height
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Scientists estimate that around 70% of our height is determined by our genes and 30% by our surroundings (1). However, a child’s height is influenced by various genes. For example, the average woman’s height stops increasing at the age of 15, even though a man keeps growing for another three years. Because of this, men typically tower over women in height. It is not uncommon for a woman to be attracted to a man taller than her, which is linked to the genetic factor that will ensure her children carry the gene and become taller. In the same way, if a woman chooses to marry a man of shorter stature, the kids are likely to be shorter. According to studies conducted at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, a child’s height will increase proportionally as the father’s height increases (2).
The Father’s Weight Has Less Impact On The Kids
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Researchers earlier had found no correlation between paternal weight and offspring obesity. However, recent studies reveal that fathers’ weight problems have nothing to do with a child’s overweight issues (3). This means that if you marry an overweight man, the genes will not affect the child. This is the same as a mother’s short stature will not affect the children’s height.
Children May Be Affected By Their Mom’s Weight Problems
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A research group at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital discovered that mothers had more impact than fathers on their children regarding weight issues (4). This is likely due to the mother’s weight when she is pregnant. In addition, those who are overweight tend to have higher blood sugar levels. Nearly a thousand families were analyzed, and data on the mothers’ and fathers’ heights, weights, and ages at birth and two years of age were gathered. It was concluded that a mother’s weight is a significant determinant in determining her child’s birth weight (5).
Researchers earlier had not been able to decode and explain the role that a baby’s parents’ genes play in influencing their child’s birth weight and height, which are both necessary measures of future health. With this recent information, scientists and physicians may be better able to promote healthy birth rates.
Now that being said, genetics is important in determining how your height and weight will be, but it is not everything. Nutrition and lifestyle during a child’s growing years have a lot to do with how the child develops physically and mentally. A balanced diet of proteins and minerals is crucial to developing strong and healthy bones. No matter how healthy and tall the father is, if the child is not supplemented with healthy food, they will not be able to bloom to their full potential. In the same manner, the obesity of a mother will not affect the child if they are fed healthy food and encouraged to exercise and keep fit.
Children follow what parents do, and living in the same environment will help shape your child into a good lifestyle. If you, as parents, follow healthy lifestyle habits of exercising, maintaining fitness and eating healthy food, your kids will follow the same and lead a healthy life. So it is essential to stay healthy and practice good habits to impart healthy habits to your children. So what is your trick for teaching your kids healthy food habits? Let us know in the comments section.
