Father’s Day 2022: The father’s health has a great influence on the health of his children
Father’s Day 2022: Let’s understand how the health of the father influences the health of his offspring.
From the conception of a baby, half of its seed (genes) is received from the father. This received genetic material and its quality, therefore, affects the baby. A young, healthy father is more likely to pass on better genetic material than an older, unhealthy one, even if he is the same person after many years. The quality of the transferred genetic material deteriorates over time, eg down syndrome which is predominantly related to the aging of the genetic material. Similarly, if the father’s age is over 40, he may be at higher risk of a child developing autism.
Smoking is a lifestyle condition that is well known for affecting the quality of sperm in a person and this, in turn, can contribute to a poor outcome in boys. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension may also have a different penetration in their offspring. If a parent has had cancer, there is a greater chance that the next generation will have the disease. Studies have also suggested that parents with chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and hypertension may also contribute to preterm birth and its related side effects.
Diseases and conditions that have pure genetic bases such as thalassemia minor and bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand can be transmitted in 50% of children through their parents. Another condition, hairy-eared hypertrichosis, is generally thought to be passed down from father to son.
When it comes to mental health, if a parent has depression, their child is more likely to have it too. A stressful parent may have anxious children and these children are more likely to collapse under pressure, these children may also have less self-confidence.
Very interestingly, it has been seen that the effect of the father’s obesity on the child’s weight is greater compared to the mother’s. This is directly correlated to the unhealthy eating habits practiced and displayed by a parent in front of a child. On the other hand, parents who lead active and healthy lives instill similar traits in their children more effectively. Parents who spend more time with their children, talk to them or play with them are more accommodating, self-confident and self-sufficient. It is noted that they are slightly better at displaying analytical skills. Therefore, parents definitely have a role to play in their children’s health, and their active participation and healthy lifestyles are desirable for their children’s better health and development.
(By Dr. Amit Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatrics and Neonatology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad)
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