Researchers from the University''s Robinson Institute have found that molecular signals in the sperm of obese fathers can increase the risk of both their children and their grandchildren inheriting obesity, even though they are eating healthily.

“A father’s diet changes the molecular makeup of the sperm. With obese fathers, the changes in their sperm – in their microRNA molecules – might program the embryo for obesity or metabolic disease later in life,” the lead author of the paper, Dr Tod Fullston said.