An article published in FASEB Journal showed that obesity in fathers changed the DNA in their sperm so as to put future generations at risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes even if they consumed a healthy diet. This change developed whether or not the obese father had signs of type 2 diabetes or the metabolic syndrome.
We've long known that the mother's health affects the health of the baby. Factors such as pharmaceutical drugs, drug and alcohol addiction, smoking, diet, stress, depression and much more have a potent effect on the fetus.
Once again we can appreciate the potent effects of epigenetics.
