Home Health How overweight men could be affecting their unborn babies’ weight and affecting their children’s DNA

How overweight men could be affecting their unborn babies’ weight and affecting their children’s DNA

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How overweight men could be affecting their unborn babies' weight and affecting their children's DNA

Overweight men are more likely to father underweight babies, a new study has shown.

Researchers from the Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo found that obesity can affect the structure and quality of men’s sperm and affect the DNA of their children.

By examining the weight of 89 fathers and their newborns, they found that the larger a man’s waist and BMI, the smaller his baby’s head circumference.

“There is a lot of research on the link between fetal development and maternal health, but the fact is that the father’s health also has a significant impact on the baby’s development both during pregnancy and after birth,” said researcher Dr. Mariana Rinaldi. Carvalho.

“Our study was the first involving Brazilian families and showed that the higher the father’s BMI, the lower the baby’s birth weight, demonstrating the importance of the father for the baby’s health and development.”

Research has shown that babies born with particularly low weight have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease later in life.

Overweight men are more likely to father underweight babies. stock image

Researchers from the Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo found that obesity can affect the structure and quality of men's sperm. stock image

Researchers from the Ribeirao Preto School of Medicine at the University of Sao Paulo found that obesity can affect the structure and quality of men’s sperm. stock image

The study suggests that a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle or smoking could cause changes in genes passed from father to son.

Babies born to overweight parents suffer growth restrictions while still in the womb, causing them to not reach the size and weight they should be.

“We now know that environmental stressors, such as being overweight, can influence the structure and quality of a father’s sperm, altering gene expression and affecting the DNA of his offspring,” said Dr. Carvalho.

“Our findings show that, just as maternal nutritional counseling is key, so is the need for a change in paternal habits before conception.”

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