Fatherhood makes you fat

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MunichYoung men who become fathers for the first time often put on a lot of weight. This even applies to men who do not live in the same household with their children.

It is not surprising that many mothers have long-term figure problems after giving birth - after all, they often gain a lot due to pregnancy. It is now evident that this fate also threatens the young fathers.

"Fatherhood can affect the health of young men," says Dr. Craig Garfield of Northwestern University in Chicago. “The more you gain weight, the higher your BMI (Body Mass Index). And with it the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer. "

The basis of the findings was a long-term study that followed more than 10,000 young male participants over a period of twenty years - from early teens to early 30. Among other things, the weight of the participants was determined at different times.

Gradual weight gain

The result: after becoming a father for the first time, for example, a 180 centimeter tall man gained an average of 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. The effect was particularly great with fathers who lived in the same household with their children. But men who lived apart from their offspring also grew fatter. Men who had no offspring, on the other hand, even tended to lose weight - by around 1.4 pounds on average.

"When you have children, you have more responsibility - and you may not have so much time to do sports," study director Garfield offers as a possible explanation. “The family then has top priority.” In addition, there are often changes in eating habits - in particular eating the leftovers that the children leave on the plate could be reflected on the scales.

And there is another possible reason: Many young fathers are overwhelmed with the situation and develop depressive symptoms. And these, too, favor weight gain.

Carefree men

The main problem is that young men often do not even think of having health problems: "They believe they are young and healthy and therefore do not go to the doctor," says Garfield. It is therefore necessary to make men aware of possible health problems in a targeted manner. This role could be played by paediatricians - many fathers did not go to the doctor themselves, but accompanied their sick offspring. (cf)

Source: Craig F. Garfield et al .: Longitudinal Study of Body Mass Index in Young Males and the Transition to Fatherhood, Am J Mens Health July 21, 2015 1557988315596224

Tags:  unfulfilled wish to have children digital health pregnancy