Does the father's weight affect the newborn?

 Related to the baby's weight after birth

A study conducted in Brazil, which included 89 families (father, mother and child), indicated a link between the father's weight gain and the baby's weight at birth. The more the father's weight, the lower the baby's weight at birth.

According to the results published by "Medical Express", the father's excess weight has a negative effect on the growth of the fetus, as assessed through anthropometric measurements.

The father's waist circumference

The inverse association between the father's body mass index (weight-to-height ratio) and the head circumference at birth was independent of the influencing factors.

That is, the larger the father's waist circumference, the smaller the baby's head circumference at birth. Head circumference at birth is one of the main growth parameters.

The study was conducted at the University of São Paulo, and its results reinforce the idea that issues related to anthropometric measurements are not the mother's responsibility alone, and that the father should also strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle during his wife's pregnancy.

The baby's weight after birth

Birth weight is a key indicator of health, not only in early childhood but throughout life.

A large body of research has shown that babies born with low (or high) birth weight are at greater risk of death and non-communicable diseases later in life, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

Genetic changes

The new study suggests that increased paternal weight may lead to epigenetic changes (biochemical changes in DNA that reprogram gene expression).

The researchers said: "The fetus may suffer from growth restrictions influenced by increased paternal weight, and fail to achieve its genetic growth potential."

The findings call for parents to make health and dietary adjustments to control weight before pregnancy, and not just the mother.