Transgenerational obesity describes the risk of obesity being inherited from generation to generation, shaped by an interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental processes. Both maternal and paternal obesity may impact fetal growth and development, metabolic programming and early-life nutrition which may predispose offspring to obesity and metabolic diseases later in life. Epigenetic factors including, but not limited to, DNA methylation and histone modifications are also implicated in the transgenerational transmission of obesity risk. Lifestyle factors including maternal diet, physical activity, and environmental exposures may also influence these effects. Understanding transgenerational obesity underscores the importance of preconception health, timely intervention during the early life period, and family-centred strategies to mitigate intergenerational obesity risk for long term metabolic health.
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