Transgenerational Epigenetics and Colonial 'Nutritional Trauma': Biology as a Historical Record of Oppression

The present study investigates the intersection between transgenerational epigenetics and the so-called “nutritional trauma” resulting from colonial processes. The scientific problem lies in understanding how forced hunger and the abrupt dietary changes imposed on traditional populations left lasting biological marks, contributing to current disparities in metabolic health. The central objective was to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the thrifty phenotype as a historical record of colonial oppression. The methodology consisted of an integrative review based on the selection of 25 high-impact scientific articles (Q1/Q2) published between 2001 and 2025. The results show that nutritional stress and historical trauma induce differential methylation in genes regulating metabolism (such as IGF2) and the HPA axis, predisposing descendants to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The final considerations emphasize that the biology of these populations functions as a living archive of history, calling for health policies that integrate historical reparations and food sovereignty.