A First-Of-Its-Kind Study Suggests That Fathers Have Worse Cardiovascular Health Compared To Men Without Kids
Many people with kids tend to agree that the joys of parenthood – like experiencing the connection and fulfillment of raising and nurturing a child – outweigh the cons, like expensive childcare, sleepless nights, and busy schedules.
However, a recent study suggests that becoming a father may significantly impact men’s heart health as they age.
Conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the research suggests that fathers generally have poorer cardiovascular health compared to childless men.
This novel, multi-ethnic study involved the examination of data from 2,814 men between the ages of 45 and 84 who participated in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). These men identified as Black, Chinese, Hispanic, or White.
The participants were broken up into categories – with 82% categorized as fathers and the remaining 18% as non-fathers. Afterward, the team thoroughly assessed each man’s cardiovascular health using the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 measures, with sleep being excluded.
After tracking and comparing cardiovascular health factors among both fathers and non-fathers over time, the researchers were able to analyze the impact of fatherhood on heart health as the men grew older. The study also adjusted for other potentially confounding variables.
The study ultimately showed that men who have children tend to experience worse cardiovascular health as they age into older adulthood compared to peers without kids.
The research team believes that perhaps the stresses and responsibilities of being a parent make it more difficult for fathers to keep up with healthy habits – such as eating a nutritious diet and regularly exercising.
Yet, there were also some interesting discrepancies. Primarily, even though fathers had worse cardiovascular health, they still had lower overall mortality rates compared to childless men. This may be explained by the fact that fathers get to reap the benefits of having stronger support systems, as well as the prospect of being cared for in the future by their adult children.
Drazen – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual people
Additionally, there were notable differences across ethnic and racial groups. Black fathers, contrary to the overall trend, exhibited lower death rates than Black men without kids.
Younger fathers, or those who had their first child before the age of 25, also experienced the poorest heart health outcomes and higher mortality rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic men. The research team theorized that socioeconomic impacts such as lack of benefits or financial instability make it very challenging for self-care to be prioritized among younger fathers.
“If you’re under 25, you may be less financially stable, your brain may be less mature, and, especially for racial and ethnic minorities, you may have lower-paying jobs with fewer benefits and limited leave policies,” explained Dr. John James Parker, the study’s corresponding author.
“All of this can make it harder to focus on your health. There are a lot of public health interventions for young mothers, but no one has ever really looked at young fathers in this way.”
According to Parker, this study also highlights the importance of studying the effects of parenthood on not just mothers.
“A lot of times, we focus on the health of mothers and children, and we don’t even think of fathers, but their health has a major influence on their family. To improve the health of families, we need to consider the multi-directional relationship among mothers, fathers, other caregivers, and children,” he concluded.
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in AJPM Focus, visit the link here.
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