A father's dietary habits before conception may impact a baby's health, including birth weight and body composition, according to a study from Brazil. Researchers found a correlation between a father's intake of ultra-processed foods—such as soda, chips, fast food, and boxed cereal—and increased infant birth weight, as well as higher fat content in the baby's thighs and around the hips.
While a larger baby may not be an immediate cause for concern, these findings could signal potential negative health outcomes later in life for the child. This research highlights the often-overlooked role of the father's health in infant development, shifting focus from the historical emphasis on maternal health's impact on newborns.
"Maternal nutrition and health before, during, and after the baby's birth have always received attention, but little is said about the role of the father's diet," said Daniela Sartorelli, an author of the study. "Our study shows that it also matters a great deal for the baby's health."
Previous research had indicated that overweight fathers might have babies with lower birth weights. Regardless of the specific association, the study underscores that paternal health and lifestyle choices play a significant role.
Babies born with significantly low or high birth weights face an increased risk of mortality and are more susceptible to developing noncommunicable diseases in adulthood, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Excessive birth weight can also potentially slow a baby's achievement of physical milestones like crawling and walking.
Scientists hypothesize that ultra-processed foods may influence sperm through inflammation, subsequently affecting gene expression in the developing fetus. This process is known as epigenetics, where environmental factors can alter gene activity.
"Gene activity can be 'activated' or 'deactivated' depending on the father's dietary habits," explained Mariana Rinaldi Carvalho, a co-author of the study. Researchers specifically examined the IGF-II gene, which is paternally inherited and plays a role in fetal growth.
Interestingly, the study observed an inverse relationship with maternal diet. When mothers consumed ultra-processed foods in early pregnancy (up to 16 weeks), it was associated with lower birth weight, shorter height, and smaller head circumference. This effect is attributed to the nutrient-poor nature of these processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods are typically made from food-derived ingredients processed with additives like preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, flavor enhancers, and emulsifiers, often lacking in whole food components. They are designed to mimic the taste and texture of home-cooked foods, sometimes using synthetic ingredients like vanillin or stabilizers to achieve desired consistency.
Examples of such foods include soft drinks, candy, ice cream, packaged bread, margarine, breakfast cereals, pre-made pizzas, chicken nuggets, sausages, and instant noodles. Consumption of these foods is linked to a higher risk of various health issues in individuals, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, dementia, and premature death.