Health problems caused by obesity may skip generations, researchers warned yesterday.
The findings come from a laboratory study conducted in Edinburgh, UK.
Researchers said an obese mother might transmit health problems not to her children but to her grandchildren – putting them at increased risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
However the theory, reported in the journal Endocrinology, has so far been only tested on laboratory mice.
Researcher Dr Amanda Drake said: "Given the worldwide increase in obesity, it is vital that we gain an understanding of how future generations may be affected.
"Future studies could look at these trends in humans but they would need to take into account genetics, environmental, social and cultural factors."
The British Heart Foundation said the findings would have "major" public health implications if they proved true in humans.
June Davison, of the foundation, said: "Obesity rates are at an all-time high so it’s vitally important we gain an understanding of how future generations may be affected.
"This research suggests the consequences of obesity may affect the health of a mother’s grandchildren but the mechanisms behind how those effects are transmitted remain unknown."
Vicky King et al. Maternal obesity has little effect on the immediate offspring but impacts on the next generation. Endocrinology June 2013.
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