PREVENTING child obesity must start with the parents before they even conceive, a Southampton academic has said.

Professor Mark Hanson, of Southampton University, is among researchers claiming the time before a couple conceive is crucial to prevent the transmission of obesity risk from one generation to the next, writes Ronny Singh.

In papers published by medical journal The Lancet, they added that there was concrete evidence that the risk of obesity and its conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancers, could possibly impact in the development of the baby.

And it can become a vicious cycle as when the child grows into a young adult they may pass the risk of obesity on to their children.

Professor Hanson said it a new approach was needed that engages parents-to-be and encourages them to be part of the solution.

“The approach needed is both top-down and bottom-up, but even more importantly requires something in between which young people can help to create themselves,” he said.

“If at present many young people do not seem to care about their health or view it as a low priority, perhaps they have not been given clear information about what they can do to optimise their health for themselves and their children. All societies owe their adolescents the chance to make their future healthier.”

He added that the main aim was to get future parents to live healthier lives.