Consistent exercise changes the DNA methylation of the genes, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Obese parents who exercise prior to making a baby will decrease the chance of the baby becoming obese. Even though the obese parents might not change their body composition too drastically, they are changing their DNA methylation gene. So when this gene gets passed on to the next generation it will be more powerful at reducing the affects of inherited obesity. Exercise is an important factor in reducing and controlling obesity from generation to generation.
Daryl Conant, M.Ed.