Father’s Vitamin D Level Determines Child’s Height and Weight

A new study shows a link between a father’s vitamin D intake before pregnancy and the child’s height and weight at age 5.
The researchers examined data from a longitudinal study of intergenerational lifestyles in Ireland. Information on parental vitamin D intake was available from completed questionnaires and the height and weight of children for 213 and 148 child-father pairs at ages 5 and 9, respectively.
The association between fathers’ vitamin D intake during the first trimester before pregnancy and children’s height and weight at ages 5 and 9

was calculated using a multivariate model.
In the adjusted models, fathers’ vitamin D intake

was positively and statistically significantly associated with children’s weight and height at age 5.

However, by age 9, this association had diminished and was no longer statistically significant.
Interestingly, the findings showed no association between mothers’ vitamin D intake

during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy

and children’s weight and height at ages 5 or 9.
One reason for this, the researchers suggest,

is that the father’s nutritional status has some influence on the health, quality, and function of his germ cells.

Therefore, the mother’s nutrition is not the only important factor in the growth and health of the baby.