The battle with the bulge is not just limited to the mothers anymore. Northwestern University researchers have found out that fatherhood does bring in the extra pounds. The study was conducted among men who are not fathers, resident fathers and non-resident fathers. For an average 6ft man, the resident dad gained 4.4 lbs after the birth of his first child. The non-resident dad who does not live with his child still, nonetheless, gained 3.3 lbs. Meanwhile, the single man who has no child lost 1.4 lbs.
The lead author of the study is Dr Craig F. Garfield, and this has been published in the American Journal of Men's Health.
The daddies have reacted. Dad blogger John Kinnear confesses he has gained 25 lbs after two children. They say it is difficult to wake up for a morning run when one has had a long night with the kids. Meanwhile, one dad feels he has to finish all his children's left-over's. Whatever the reason, it is now an established fact that fatherhood contributes to weight gain.
Previous research has shown that marriage contributes to weight gain, and now fatherhood? The results of this recently-concluded 20-year study surprised Dr Garfield who has done previous research, which showed that fatherhood makes the men clean up their act. Family becomes priority so beer nights with friends become limited, or they stop smoking. So if there is healthy living, why is there weight gain?
Whatever the reason, there is a call now to remind fathers to be role models of healthy behavior to their children. They have to eat healthy, drink healthy to live long enough to see their children grow up. Excessive weight gain can cause various illnesses including diabetes, cancer and heart failure. The change should be in the lifestyle and in the habits, said health professionals.
