New research shows that a man’s age and lifestyle affect the health of his children, even before they are born. We already know that harmful habits of mothers such as smoking and alcohol consumption affect the health of the child, especially during pregnancy. However, it is increasingly recognized that men’s risky behaviors such as unhealthy eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, and also their age can contribute to the manifestation of birth defects, autism, mental illness, and other problems in children. Advanced age and unhealthy habits are some of the most common causes of changes in male genes. Although it is not fully understood how this happens, scientists say that these gene changes are passed on to their children, even in certain cases to their grandchildren. For example, obesity as a risk factor in a man makes his children more prone to it. On the other hand, smoking can cause adverse effects on any man’s sperm. However, research suggests that the absolute risk of birth defects and other diseases remains significantly low for any given child. Scientists say that a mother’s health during pregnancy has a much stronger effect on their children. Joanna Kitlinska, associate professor and PhD in biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology at Georgetown University, provides a breakdown of the most common causes of birth defects that are due to the male side and the presence of unhealthy habits and advanced age. In one of her studies, Kitlinska found that for children whose fathers are over 40 years old, there is a much greater risk of developing autism compared to those whose fathers are under 30 years old. Older fathers are more likely to have children with schizophrenia. What is the relationship between the advanced age of fathers and the potential development of these diseases among their children is not clear. However, it is believed that the main reason for their manifestation are mutations in the father’s genes, but a direct connection has not yet been established. Another study linked the age of the father and their children to a higher incidence of congenital heart defects and Down syndrome. NEWS_MORE_BOX However, the increased risk does not necessarily mean that every child of an older father will have a birth defect or develop autism or schizophrenia. Children of men who have a high level of obesity are often more prone to developing the same. There is a high risk that these children have a disturbed metabolism, develop diabetes or various types of cancer. On the other hand, it is believed that men who ate normally in childhood often have children who are protected from heart disease and diabetes. The consumption of increased amounts of alcohol represents one of the most common risk factors for the fetus. To a large extent this applies to the mother, but it has been proven that even if the mother does not consume alcohol,its use in high doses on the father’s side leads to unpleasant effects. The latter are expressed in low birth weight of children and impaired brain development. Fathers with high levels of stress in their daily lives often have children who develop behavioral problems as a result. However, more research needs to be done on exactly how fathers’ stress levels affect their children.