By Dr. Liji Thomas, MD Reviewed by Lauren Hardaker Jun 9 2026 New evidence suggests fathers may influence their children's obesity risk through changes in sperm, lifestyle habits, parenting behaviors, and family environments, prompting researchers to call for father-inclusive strategies that begin even before conception. Study: The Role of Fathers in the Intergenerational Transmission of Obesity . Image credit: Creativa Images/Shutterstock.com A recent review published in the journal  Current