Fatherhood at young age linked to greater likelihood of mid-life death

Public Release: 3-Aug-2015
Fatherhood at young age linked to greater likelihood of mid-life death
Becoming a dad before age of 25 seems to pose greatest risk, suggests research
BMJ

Becoming a dad before the age of 25 is linked to a heightened risk of dying early in middle age, indicates a sibling study published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

The published evidence suggests that men who father a child in early life have poorer health and die earlier than men who delay fatherhood, but family environment, early socioeconomic circumstances and genes are thought to explain this association.

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The researchers took account of influential factors, such as educational attainment and region of residence, which are linked to the timing of first parenthood; and marital status and number of children, both of which are linked to long term health.

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At the other end of the scale, those who became dads between the ages of 30 and 44 had a 25% lower risk of death in middle age than those who fathered their first child at 25 or 26.

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These findings were held true, irrespective of year of birth, shared early life circumstances, educational attainment, marital status, region of residence, and number of children.

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They go on to say that although having a child as a young adult is thought to be less disruptive for a man than it is for a woman, taking on the combined role of father, partner and breadwinner may cause considerable psychological and economic stress for a young man and deprive him of the ability to invest in his own wellbeing.

The researchers point out that while these factors may not be so important for today's generation of dads, they may nevertheless experience other types of stressors.

"The findings of our study provide evidence of a need to support young fathers struggling with the demands of family life in order to promote good health behaviours and future health. The promotion of good health behaviours in young fathers could also support healthy behaviour in their children," they suggest.