Cohort study finds that paternal obesity and underweight significantly affect growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in SGA children, indicating health implications.
Key Points
Paternal obesity is linked to an 8.7-fold higher risk of obesity in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) offspring, suggesting serious health implications.
Assessments showed lower birth weights in SGA children of underweight fathers compared to those with normal and obese paternal BMI categories.
The study utilized a prospective cohort design, enrolling 412 SGA infants to evaluate physical and neurodevelopmental outcomes using standardized questionnaires.
Highlighting the importance of paternal weight optimization, results suggest modifiable risks for obesity and neurodevelopmental issues in SGA children.