Bringing Fathers In is a series of smart, punchy, evidence-based information sheets backed up with a series of online research summaries.
The problem
23% of 3-year-olds are overweight or obese (Hawkins et al, 2009), rising to one third of 11-13 year olds, one in six of whom have high blood pressure, and one in ten, high cholesterol (Brophy et al, 2012)
The Father Factor – the early years
95% of parents are in a couple relationship or describe themselves as ‘good friends’ at the time of the birth (Kiernan & Smith, 2003)
Fathers have substantial impact on pregnant women’s nutrition (Clift-Matthews, 2009)
Fathers gain weight during pregnancy, mainly due to lifestyle factors (Onepoll, 2009)
Fathers have substantial impact on whether babies are breastfed, and breastfed babies are less likely to be obese later (Armstrong et al, 2002)
Toddlers’ activity levels are linked with their father’s (but not their mother’s) BMI (Sallis et al, 1988).
Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids (HDHK) is a highly effective, enjoyable 9-session father-child programme focused on obesity prevention, for schools and other settings.
Babies do better when planned by both parents
Husbands who understand the risk of pregnancy complications will support their wife’s use of appropriate services
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be prevented when mothers stick to their medication supported by their husbands or partners.
An evaluation of father-inclusiveness training for health visitors and community practitioners has found significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes, and changes in practice, among course participants.
Écoles des Maris (‘Schools for Husbands’) in Niger is a UNFPA-funded project based on the theory that men‘s social power can act as a brake on rates of improvement in maternal and child health.