Science has long recognized that genes are the cornerstone of life. But research in recent years proves that children’s health is not only determined by genes, but is also influenced by the health and lifestyle of the parents before the child is conceived. The ‘Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) conducted in Britain has given many important facts. Based on this and published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health (2023), a study observed that adverse circumstances in early life can change the gene expression of children. A study in BMJ Open (2022) has linked stress in mothers during pregnancy to increased cardiovascular risks in children. Wellcome Open Research (2023) has underlined the role of father’s health in children’s health. Children inherit DNA from their parents, which influences the likelihood of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mental health. But the process of when and how much the genes will become active without changing the structure of the DNA is affected by the nutrition, stress and lifestyle of the prospective parents. This is why pre-conceptional health – i.e. health before conception – becomes extremely important. This means that if a parent wants good health of their child, then they themselves have to maintain nutrition, healthy weight, regular physical activity, stay away from drugs and good mental balance. This responsibility is equally of men and women. Research suggests that if a father smokes before conception, it can cause changes in the DNA passed on to children that increase the risk of asthma, obesity and metabolic diseases. The effects of maternal smoking are even more serious. In such children, there is a higher possibility of low birth weight and obesity later on. Globally, approximately 14.4% of women and 27.5% of men smoke during pregnancy, indicating the prevalence of this problem. Similarly, if parents are overweight, children have an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. This is not only the effect of genes, but also the result of biological signals formed within the body, which influence the development of the fetus. Keeping these facts in mind, the Indian Academy of Pediatrics and the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecological Societies of India have recommended inclusion of pre-conceptional care in primary health services. These include folic acid supplementation, anemia, diabetes and thyroid testing, healthy lifestyle and mental health. The benefits of pre-conceptual health are not only personal, but also social and economic. This reduces the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and congenital disorders. In the long run it reduces diseases like diabetes and heart disease. This reduces the medical expenses of families and reduces the burden on the health system. In a country like India – where non-communicable diseases are rising rapidly – this approach is especially important. Today’s lifestyle diseases often have their roots early in life. If we focus on improving health even before conception, future generations can be made healthier. Despite this, pre-conceptional care is still limited in our health system. Most efforts begin after pregnancy or birth, while the real opportunity exists before that. We have to change this thinking and make pre-conceptional health an integral part of public health. Research can be helpful in the progress of society, provided it is included in health policies. The message of science is clear – genes set the stage, but the environment writes the story – through our behavior and lifestyle. The health of future generations is being determined by our actions today. In such a situation, investment in pre-conceptual health is not only a medical necessity but also a social responsibility, which lays the foundation of a healthy future. (These are the author’s own views)
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Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya’s column: The good health of the new generation is decided by our decisions.
