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Vitamin D intake by fathers affects the size and weight of children
It has been known that vitamin D taken by mothers during pregnancy has a significant impact on the healthy development of the baby. Researchers have now found that taking vitamin D from fathers prior to conception affects their size and weight at the age of five.
Researchers at University College Dublin found in their study that vitamin D taken up by fathers had a significant impact on the development of the offspring. The vitamin D intake influenced the later size and weight of the child at the age of five years. The physicians publish the study results at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Porto.
People need enough vitamin D to maintain their health. But there are other reasons why vitamin D is important in men. The vitamin D intake of fathers before conception affects their size and weight at the age of five. (Image: bit24 - fotolia) Paternal vitamin D intake affects the size and weight of the child
Expectant mothers take care to eat healthily during their pregnancy. So they want to ensure a healthy development of their offspring. However, the diet of the fathers before birth has an influence on their baby's development, say the experts. And the vitamin D intake of the fathers before conception influences how big and heavy children become in later life.
What causes vitamin D before pregnancy?
The mother's vitamin D levels before pregnancy have a significant impact on musculoskeletal and overall health. So far, however, little attention has been paid to whether the vitamin D levels of the fathers prior to conception affect the health of later-born offspring, the scientists explain.
Researchers examine 213 fathers and their children
The physicians analyzed the so-called Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study. They found that there is a link between the father's vitamin D intake during the first prenatal trimester and the size and weight of their offspring at the age of five. A total of 213 fathers and their children were examined.
The results of the study showed no association between the mother's vitamin D intake during the first and second trimesters and the size and weight of children aged five, the journal "The Australian" quoted the authors of the study.
Further research is needed
Paternal vitamin D intake, however, has been shown to positively affect the size and weight of offspring at five years of age. The effects were independent of maternal characteristics, explain the physicians. A further investigation must now analyze the family diet in more detail.
Maternal nutrition is not the only key factor
The nutritional status of a father seems to affect the health, quality and function of the germ cells. These chromosome-carrying cells are involved in reproduction, say the experts. The mother's diet is therefore not the only key factor for the development of growth and the health of the offspring, explain the authors.
If children play more outdoors, the size will be affected
The researchers also found that when children spent three or more hours out in the fresh air at the weekend, they were taller at the age of five. The researchers also explain the relationship with vitamin D, which is formed when exposed to sunlight in our skin. (As)