Traits You're More Likely To Inherit From Your Dad
Even though there are definitely some traits that we all inherit from our mothers, there are several others that come from our fathers. As it turns out, epigenetics are responsible for this phenomenon. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), epigenetics refers to how genes are expressed in our DNA. Those expressions impact both sperm and eggs and, consequently, impact future children. However, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence. Instead, they alter how your body reads a DNA sequence.
While there are several traits that come from both parents, the traits that fathers pass down don't stop with gender. Everything from your predisposition to diseases to your weight can be traced back to your father and his own genetic makeup. Here is an in-depth look at 3 pretty fascinating traits you may not have known came from your good old dad.
Bad fat comes from dad
Some may look at mom when it comes to issues with being overweight, but research performed by the University of Southern Denmark showed that it's dad who passes on white fat cells, which promote obesity and illness.
The conclusion was drawn when a team led by Professor Jan-Wilhelm Kornfield from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was studying the functions of gene H19 and how it works to protect against obesity and insulin resistance. During this study, the team concluded that the genes inherited from fathers result in an increase of white fat cells. Most commonly, this is the type of unwanted fat that appears on the stomach, thighs, and backside.
White fat cells can ultimately lead to metabolic diseases. The Mayo Clinic affirms that obesity is linked to metabolic syndrome, defined as a group of conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, risk factors can be minimized and prevented by engaging in at least 30 minutes of activity a day, eating a healthy diet, reducing fat and salt consumption, and not smoking.
Premature puberty is inherited from the father
Per the National Library of Medicine, normal puberty occurs in girls between 8-13 years old. Boys start going through puberty a year later between the ages of 9-14. When puberty happens before this timeframe, it's known as central precocious puberty or premature puberty. The medical industry perceives premature puberty as a disorder caused by a mutation in the gene MKRN3, which is an alteration inherited from the father. Ironically, the dad may have gone through puberty right on time, as some males don't show any signs of the condition.
Symptoms of premature puberty typically include rapid, early development. A sudden growth spurt, dealing with acne or unpleasant odors, and voice changes are all indicators of central precocious puberty. As a result, this could lead to mental or emotional difficulties for the child because they simply don't understand how to process what's happening.
The good news is that there are treatments available, so if you suspect this is happening to your child, don't hesitate to get in touch with a pediatrician.
Increased risk of heart disease comes from the male chromosome
According to WebMD, there's a significant link between the male Y chromosome and heart disease. The discovery was made by a research team based in the U.K. that investigated the DNA of over 3,000 men.
Scientists can tell a lot about someone's ancestry based on their region and the Y chromosome. In science-speak, this is called a haplogroup (per Living DNA). The men who participated in the study came from 11 different regions. To give it some perspective, there are only 30 haplogroups globally. Based on the study, the men who suffered from heart disease were all from the same haplogroup, haplogroup I. In fact, simply being a member of that haplogroup increased the chance of developing heart disease by 50%.
While cholesterol levels and taking medication to lower cholesterol were the top 2 indicators pertaining to the likelihood of someone getting heart disease, the third top indicator was being a member of haplogroup I. Researchers estimated that only about 10% of American men belonged to haplogroup I.