IRVINE — A review titled "The Role of Fathers in the Intergenerational Transmission of Obesity" was published in the journal Current Obesity Reports in 2026. The review concludes that fathers' health influences children's obesity risk through biological, behavioral, and environmental pathways.
Matthew Landry, an assistant professor of population health and disease prevention at the University of California, Irvine, co-authored the report. He stated, "We found that fathers' health is an important contributor to children's health through biological, behavioral and environmental pathways."
Between 40 percent and 70 percent of obesity risk is heritable. Paternal obesity is associated with reduced sperm concentration, reduced sperm motility, and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Obesity-related alterations to the epigenetic profile of sperm are heritable and can affect embryo gene expression related to appetite regulation, insulin signaling, and fat metabolism. Some obesity-associated epigenetic changes in sperm can be reversed through lifestyle modifications prior to conception.
A father's diet quality, physical activity habits, feeding practices, and parenting style influence a child's eating habits and activity levels. Positive modeling, behavioral monitoring, and shared family meals are associated with improved diet quality and healthier food choices in children. Fatherhood is also associated with weight gain and changes in health behaviors for men.
Researchers recommend including fathers in preconceptional counseling, perinatal education, and workplace policies that support paternal involvement in childcare. Landry stated, "Fathers have historically been overlooked in maternal and child health research and intervention efforts. Recognizing fathers as active contributors to family health creates new opportunities to improve outcomes for future generations."
No independent assessment of Matthew Landry’s claims was available.