Association of Paternal BMI and Diet During Pregnancy with Offspring Birth Measures: The STEPS Study

Michelle L Kearns ¹

Mirkka Lahdenperä ²

Laura Galante ³

Samuli Rautava ^{4, 5}

Hanna Lagstrom ^{6, 7}

Clare M Reynolds ¹

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School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V2P1 Dublin, Ireland |

Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland |

Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK |

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Department of Pediatrics, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

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New Children’s Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 Helsinki, Finland

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Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20014 Turku, Finland |

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Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, 20014 Turku, Finland |

Publication type: Journal Article

Publication date: 2025-02-28

MDPI

Journal: Nutrients

scimago Q1

SJR: 1.301

CiteScore: 9.2

Impact factor: 4.8

ISSN: 20726643

DOI: 10.3390/nu17050866

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Abstract

Background/Objectives: Maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), diet quality, and their associated effects on offspring birth measures are well-established. Emerging evidence, largely from animal studies, has indicated paternal factors can influence offspring birth outcomes. However, this effect is poorly understood in humans. Our aim was to examine the association between paternal BMI and diet quality score and offspring birth measures. Methods: Participants from the STEPS (Steps to the healthy development) Study in Southwest Finland were recruited during the first trimester of pregnancy or after delivery. A total of 1586 fathers and their children were included for BMI analysis, and 208 fathers and their children were included for dietary analyses. Paternal BMI was calculated using self-reported weight and height at recruitment, and dietary behaviour was assessed using the Index of Diet Quality (IDQ) at 30 weeks’ gestation. Offspring birth weight and length z-scores were calculated using the recently published references specific to the Finnish population. Generalized linear model analyses were carried out to determine associations between paternal factors and offspring z-scores. Results: The mean paternal BMI was 26 (SD ± 3.5). Over half of the fathers were classed as having an unhealthy diet, classified as poor in adhering to nutrition recommendations including higher intakes of saturated fatty acids, and inadequate intakes of protein, saccharose, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Paternal BMI was not significantly associated with offspring birth weight (β = 0.00 p = 0.884) or birth length (β = 0.00, p = 0.774) z-scores when adjusted for maternal and other paternal and parental factors. Paternal diet quality score was not associated with offspring birth weight (β = −0.01, p = 0.515) or birth length (β = 0.07 p = 0.291) z-scores. Conclusions: This study shows paternal BMI or diet quality at 30 weeks’ gestation does not significantly impact offspring birth measures. Given the known impact of nutrition on epigenetics, examining the potential influence of paternal factors at conception on offspring growth is of major importance and should be included in future studies.