The incidence of parental obesity in overweight individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the incidence of parental obesity in overweight individuals.
METHOD: The records of 3,227 adult (age 18 or older) obese (body mass index [BMI] higher than 27) outpatients seen at the Cathedral Hill Obesity Clinic over the past approximate three decades were reviewed. The incidence of parental and grandparental obesity was determined from patient histories.
RESULTS: A far higher prevalence of obese female parents than obese male parents was found in this overweight population. This excess is greater in blacks than in whites, and in females than in males. BMI is greater in earlier than later age of obesity onset. A higher incidence of obese grandmothers than grandfathers was also found in this sample. DISCUSSION: The findings of a higher maternal and grandmaternal obesity incidence are discussed in terms of environmental and genetic factors.