A new Brazilian study suggests that a father’s consumption of ultra-processed foods before conception may impact a baby’s birth weight and body composition, shifting focus beyond maternal nutrition to include paternal influence in early development.
A study in Brazil has added a new dimension to the long-running concern over ultra-processed foods, suggesting that a father’s diet before conception may influence a baby’s early body composition as well as the mother’s nutrition. Researchers writing in Nutrition Research found an association between higher ultra-processed food intake by fathers and greater birth weight, heavier weight for height and thicker skinfolds in specific areas of the newborn’s body.
The work, led by scientists at the University of São Paulo, is small but notable because it shifts attention beyond pregnancy itself. Daniela Sartorelli, a nutritional epidemiologist involved in the research, said the father’s role has been overlooked for too long, adding that it also matters for a baby’s health. The team studied 43 family units and interviewed both parents about what they had eaten in the previous 24 hours on two occasions, then compared that information with detailed measurements taken after the babies were born.
The findings do not prove cause and effect, but they fit a growing body of research suggesting that fathers’ health can affect offspring before birth. The researchers pointed to possible epigenetic changes in sperm, including DNA methylation, as one route by which a poor diet could influence development. They also noted that ultra-processed foods may promote inflammation and oxidative stress, which could affect sperm quality and motility. Mariana Carvalho, the study’s first author, said previous work has shown that a father’s dietary habits can biochemically alter genes passed to the baby.
The study’s authors said fathers in the sample were getting about 30% of their energy from ultra-processed foods, especially processed meats, sugary drinks and biscuits. That fits with wider concerns about these products, which the American Heart Association says are often high in saturated fat, added sugar and salt, while Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Health have both reported links between heavy consumption and obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. The Brazilian researchers say their work supports including men in family-planning advice, not just women, as diet before conception may matter more than many families realise.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
