Prairie Fare: Genetics or lifestyle - What makes the greatest difference in health?

  • Knowing your family health history and keeping up with recommended health screenings are two ways to follow a healthy lifestyle. Others include getting regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, and refraining from tobacco and excessive alcohol use. (Pexels photo)
    Knowing your family health history and keeping up with recommended health screenings are two ways to follow a healthy lifestyle. Others include getting regular physical activity, eating a healthful diet, and refraining from tobacco and excessive alcohol use. (Pexels photo)

    By Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D, NDSU Extension Food and Health Sciences

    “Look at my great-great grandfather with a mustache like mine,” my son said. Someone had uploaded a picture to an online platform about our ancestors.

    I gave my son a DNA test kit and he is waiting for the results. We have been bonding over our exploration of our mutual ancestry prior to getting his results. I won’t be able to c…