Obesity runs in the family - but one parent's genes have more influence on a child's weight, study finds

OBESITY does get passed down through families, but one parent's genes may play a bigger role in children's weight, scientists say.

UCL researchers looked at the body mass index (BMI), diet and genetic data of over 2,500 families.

They found that kids whose parents were obese were more likely to be obese themselves.

But children's weight was more heavily impacted by the genes of a specific parent.

A mum's genetics may play a bigger role in determining whether a child becomes overweight than a dad’s - even if those genes aren't passed down.

Lead author Dr Liam Wright, from the UCL Social Research Institute, said: “Mothers’ genetics appear to play an important role in influencing her child’s weight over and above the child’s genetics.

“In addition to the genes mums directly pass on, o