Overview
- A literature review published May 26 by researchers at UC Irvine found that fathers' health before and during parenthood contributes to children's long-term obesity risk through biological, behavioral and environmental pathways.
- The review highlights biological routes such as reduced sperm quality and altered epigenetic marks that can change early development, appetite regulation and metabolism in offspring.
- The authors note some biological effects appear reversible and cite evidence that weight loss, lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery can improve sperm health and related epigenetic patterns.
- On the behavioral side, fathers' eating habits, physical activity and parenting routines shape children's diet and activity through modeling and household practices.
- The paper links these mechanisms to social drivers like income, food insecurity, neighborhood conditions and workplace policies and urges father-inclusive care, paternal mental-health support, paid leave and flexible workplaces as prevention strategies.