By Dr. Tarang Lad

Epigenetics, Parents and Childhood health

Childhood health problems are rising at an alarming rate. More children today are struggling with issues such as obesity, asthma, diabetes, allergies, and even early puberty compared to past generations. While lifestyle factors such as diet and pollution play a clear role, genetics and epigenetics provide an important explanation for why these problems are increasing so rapidly.

Inside every cell of our body lies DNA, the genetic material that carries instructions for survival—such as growth, immunity, reproduction, digestion, and movement. These instructions are known as genes. We inherit them from our parents, who inherited them from their parents, forming an unbroken chain across generations. Although all the cells in our body contain the same DNA, they perform different functions. For example, heart cells beat, liver cells detoxify, and brain cells process information. This is possible because not all genes are switched on in every cell at the same time. Heart-specific genes work in heart cells, while liver-specific genes work in liver cells. Other genes remain switched off. Any harmful change in these genes known as mutation. These mutations are permanent and can predispose someone to diseases such as cancer or genetic obesity, but often they only cause problems if they are “triggered” by environment or lifestyle factors.

The process that controls whether a gene is active or inactive is called epigenetics. Epigenetics acts like a switchboard that regulates gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. Chemical tags such as methyl groups and acetyl groups attach to DNA and determine which genes are turned on or off. This ensures that every cell knows its role. However, epigenetics is also influenced by lifestyle factors such as food, pollution, stress, and environment. When these factors change, they can disrupt normal gene regulation, sometimes in harmful ways.

In the past, eating habits were healthier and more balanced. Outside food was occasional, and traditional items like chakli, farsan, and laddus were festive treats. Today, fast foods like pizzas, burgers, samosas, and vada pavhave become daily staples. Sugary drinks, chocolates, and ice creams are consumed more often than home-cooked meals. Additionally, processed and packaged foods have replaced many traditional staples such as fresh grains, pulses, and vegetables. Combined with irregular meal timings,sedentary lifestyles, and rising air pollution, this has created an environment that strongly alters gene regulation through epigenetic changes.

When expecting parents live with unhealthy diets or in polluted environments, their bodies can undergo epigenetic changes. Research shows that some of these changes can be passed on (inherited) by their children. As a result, babies may be born higher risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, or allergies. These health problems may appear earlier in life compared to the past, when they were mainly linked to DNA sequence changes (mutations). Unlike mutations, which only cause disease if the faulty gene is triggered, epigenetic changes can directly alter how genes are switched on or off, making the child more vulnerable from the very beginning.