Feelings, thoughts and experiences of fathers in the early postpartum period: a phenomenological study.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Transition to parenthood is a complex and challenging situation not only for mothers but also for fathers. In this process, fathers' feelings, thoughts and experiences are very important. This study aims to understand fathers' feelings, thoughts and experiences in the early postpartum period. DESIGN/METHODS: The descriptive phenomenological design was used in this study. Data were collected from 13 fathers through in-depth interviews. The content analysis method was used in data analysis. RESULTS: The following three themes were identified regarding the experiences of fathers in the early postpartum period: 'need for support', 'difficulties of being a father' and 'recommendations'. The fathers had more needs and inadequate support in their transition to the fatherhood role. CONCLUSION: All these results suggest that they faced many challenges in the early postpartum period. Sleep deprivation, being tired, having a restricted social life and increased responsibilities, and experiencing postpartum psychological fluctuations were some of these difficulties. In order to overcome these difficulties, they needed financial and moral support. The fathers who participated in the present study stated that they did not receive enough training and support from healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should keep in mind that not only of mothers and babies but also of fathers have needs to be met.

Assessment of the validity and reliability of edinburgh postpartum depression scale in Turkish men.

OBJECTIVES: Perinatal depression (PD) affects individuals during pregnancy and early parenthood, resembling major depression. Recent research highlights paternal perinatal depression (PPD) in fathers. PPD has adverse effects on fathers and their children. This study assesses the Turkish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for Turkish fathers, aiming to provide a tool for PPD identification. METHODS: This methodological study validates the EPDS for Turkish fathers and explores associations with demographic and psychosocial factors. The study involved 295 fathers with infants aged 2 weeks to 12 months. The EPDS, originally designed for perinatal depression and validated in Turkish women, was used. Fathers completed a participant information questionnaire, the EPDS, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) during clinic visits. Data on sociodemographic factors, paternal roles, and pregnancy and postpartum support were collected. Mothers also completed the EPDS. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and correlation tests were used. RESULTS: The study included fathers with an average age of 30.5 years, mostly with a high school education or higher. The EPDS had a mean total score of 3.1. Factor analysis suggested a three-factor structure for the EPDS in Turkish fathers, including anhedonia, anxiety, and depression. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the three-factor structure, with acceptable model fit indices. Positive correlations were found between fathers' EPDS scores, maternal EPDS scores, and paternal BDI scores. The EPDS effectively discriminated between different levels of depression severity. Various factors, such as education level and lack of support during pregnancy and after childbirth, were associated with higher EPDS scores. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the significance of assessing and addressing PPD in fathers, supporting the use of the EPDS as a valid tool in the Turkish context. The three-factor structure aligns with international research, highlighting the importance of a multi-dimensional approach to PPD assessment. Early intervention can mitigate PPD's impact on fathers, mothers, and children, benefiting mental health and well-being.

Exploring risk factors for undernutrition in children aged under five years in Yemen.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a global health concern, particularly in low-income countries, and can manifest as wasting, stunting and/or underweight. In Yemen, the recent armed conflict is likely to have significantly increased the incidence of undernutrition in young children, particularly those living in communities that were already experiencing socioeconomic and health disparities. AIM: To explore the risk factors associated with wasting, stunting and underweight in children aged between six months and five years living in one district of Yemen. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a two-part questionnaire to collect anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic characteristics of children enrolled on an outpatient programme for undernourished children at three healthcare facilities in the Jiblah district, and of their families and households. RESULTS: Of the 120 children included in the study, 58 (48%) had wasting, 27 (23%) had stunting and 35 (29%) were underweight. Risk factors for undernutrition included being under the age of three years, being a girl, having had a low birthweight, having siblings under the age of five years, having a mother who is a housewife, living in a household relying on unimproved sources of drinking water, living in a rural area, and living in a low-income household. CONCLUSION: The nutritional status of children in Yemen is under continuing threat. The identification of risk factors for undernutrition may increase awareness of the issue and influence the policy decisions of the international community.

Factors associated with caregiver strain among mothers and fathers of children with advanced cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize caregiver experiences in the context of advanced pediatric cancer by identifying individual (i.e., demographic factors, stress) and family context factors (i.e., family roles, social support) associated with caregiver strain. METHODS: Families of children (ages 5-25) with advanced cancer (i.e., physician-estimated prognosis < 60%, relapsed/refractory disease) were recruited from a large children's hospital. Mothers (n = 55; 87% White) and fathers (n = 30; 83% White) reported on their caregiver strain, cancer-specific stress, general stress, social support, division of 7 family roles (e.g., medical care of ill child, household chores), and their satisfaction with each role. RESULTS: Parents reported moderate caregiver strain, cancer-specific stress, and general stress, and high social support and satisfaction with family roles. Fathers reported family roles were shared equally, whereas mothers reported either sharing roles or completing them independently. When accounting for income and partnership status, greater caregiver strain for mothers was associated with greater general stress, greater satisfaction with family roles, and lower social support. For fathers, greater caregiver strain was associated only with greater cancer-specific stress. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: In the context of advanced pediatric cancer, fathers may experience caregiver strain as cancer-specific stress increases, whereas mothers' strain may depend on broader family and social factors. Psychosocial providers should address general and cancer-specific stress within families, and provide resources for enhancing mothers' social support. Additional research is needed with larger, more diverse samples to inform future intervention approaches.

Validation of the Dutch Infant Crying and Parent Well-Being (ICPW) Screening Tool in Parents of Infants Less than 12 Months of Age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the Infant Crying and Parent Wellbeing (ICPW) tool in identifying parents struggling with infant crying in the first year of life. STUDY DESIGN: The original ICPW tool was translated into Dutch following established guidelines. The internal consistency and criterion validity of the Dutch ICPW tool were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. The translated ICPW tool and validated questionnaires on parental depression, stress, anxiety, and parenting balance were presented to parents of infants under 12 months during child health care visits and online. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 488 parents, 400 mothers and 88 fathers. Of these, 172 participated after a child health care visit, and 316 via online platforms. The Dutch ICPW showed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.69) and excellent criterion validity with parental mental health measures (r = 0.53-0.85). ICPW scores demonstrated positive correlations with parental depression, stress, and anxiety levels, and a negative correlation with parenting balance. Both mothers and fathers with a positive ICPW screen (≥3) reported significantly higher levels of parental mental health issues compared with those with a negative screen (p < 0.001). The ICPW was positive in 32% of the parents (n=155), with consistent total scores regardless of the infant's increasing age (r = -0.024, p = 0.59). The ICPW tool exhibited a strong negative predictive value (93%) for diagnosing postpartum depression. CONCLUSION: The Dutch ICPW tool is a reliable and valid screening instrument for identifying parents struggling with infant crying.

Effectiveness of Psychological Counseling Intervention in High-Risk Pregnancies in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The longitudinal study examines the effectiveness of a psychological support treatment for high-risk pregnancies using a between-groups design. It assesses the treatment's impact on depression and fear of COVID-19 at three time points, and on prenatal attachment between the 20th and 24th weeks of gestation (T0), postnatal attachment 15-20 days after birth (T1), and three months after birth (T2). Additionally, the study evaluates the treatment's effectiveness on PTSD related to childbirth and parental distress at T1 and T2. METHODS: The study involved 117 parents experiencing high-risk pregnancies from a Sicilian hospital: 84 mothers (40 in the experimental group, 44 in the control group) and 33 fathers (19 in the experimental group, 14 in the control group). RESULTS: ANOVA results showed that the psychological treatment was effective for maternal variables such as postnatal attachment and parental distress, and for paternal variables such as depression, prenatal attachment, PTSD symptoms, and parental distress (ANOVA, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the growing evidence for providing continuous psychological support to couples with high-risk pregnancies, emphasizing that this support should extend beyond childbirth to assist families through this transition.

Fathers' Experiences Six Months After their Preterm Infant's Discharge from the NICU.

Although fathers experience emotional stress both during the care period and after discharge, there is limited research focusing exclusively on fathers' experiences after their time in a neonatal intensive care unit. Their experiences are important for tailoring support to fathers based on their individual needs. This paper is part of a longitudinal study in which parents were followed by means of questionnaires and individual interviews during a two-year period after discharge from hospital-based neonatal home care. A qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used to elucidate the experiences of fathers six months after their preterm infant's discharge. Twelve fathers participated in the study. The following categories emerged and constituted the result: "Vivid memories from the NICU," "Struggling with new challenges in life" and "Transition to home still in their thoughts." The approach and attitude of health-care professionals may contribute to fathers' involvement during the care period, as fathers tend to set their own feelings aside.

Twelve-month outcomes of a community-based, father-daughter physical activity program delivered by trained facilitators.

BACKGROUND: Dads and Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE) is a program targeting fathers/father-figures to improve their daughters' physical activity and well-being. Previous randomised controlled efficacy and effectiveness trials of DADEE demonstrated meaningful improvements in a range of holistic outcomes for both fathers and daughters in the short-term. This study aims to assess the long-term impact (12-months) of the program when delivered in the community by trained facilitators. METHODS: Fathers/father-figures and their primary school-aged daughters were recruited from Newcastle, Australia into a single-arm, non-randomised, pre-post study with assessments at baseline, 10-weeks (post-intervention) and 12-months. The 9-session program included weekly 90-min educational and practical sessions, plus home-based tasks. The primary outcome was fathers' and daughters' days per week meeting national physical activity recommendations (≥ 30 min/day of MVPA for fathers, ≥ 60 min/day MVPA for daughters). Secondary outcomes included physical activity, screen time, self-esteem, father-daughter relationship, social-emotional well-being, parenting measures, and process outcomes (including recruitment, attendance, retention and program acceptability). RESULTS: Twelve programs were delivered with 257 fathers (40.0 ± 9.2 years) and 285 daughters (7.7 ± 1.9 years). Mixed effects regression models revealed significant intervention effects for the primary outcome, with fathers increasing the days/week meeting physical activity recommendations by 27% at 10-weeks (p < 0.001) and by 19% at 12-months (p < 0.001) compared with baseline. Likewise, for daughters there was a significant increase by 25% at 10-weeks (p < 0.001) and by 14% at 12-months (p = 0.02) when compared to baseline. After conducting a sensitivity analysis with participants unaffected by COVID-19 lockdowns (n = 175 fathers, n = 192 daughters), the primary outcome results strengthened at both time-points for fathers and at 12-months for daughters. Additionally, the sensitivity analysis revealed significant intervention effects at post-program and 12-months for all secondary outcomes in both fathers and daughters. Furthermore, the process outcomes for recruitment capability, attendance, retention and satisfaction levels were high. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide support for a sustained effect of the DADEE program while delivered in a community setting by trained facilitators. Further investigation is required to identify optimised implementation processes and contextual factors to deliver the program at scale. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12617001450303 . Date registered: 12/10/2017.

Support Needs, Barriers, and Facilitators for Fathers With Fear of Childbirth in Sweden: A Mixed-Method Study.

The aim of this mixed-method study was to identify support needs, as well as barriers and facilitators to seeking support in a sample of Swedish fathers with a fear of childbirth (FOC). Participants completed an anonymous quantitative online survey (N = 131), with three free-text items for those self-identifying as having an FOC (N = 71) and five individual in-depth interviews. Data analysis included descriptive and chi-square analyses for quantitative data, and manifest content analysis for qualitative data. Those with a severe FOC were more likely to report having on-going mental health difficulties (p = .039) and one fifth (21%) of the participants with severe FOC wanted to receive professional treatment, but only 8.1% received treatment. Most participants either preferred individual support or to receive support together with their partner. Fathers with severe FOC were more likely to report one or more barriers than those without FOC (p = .005), where unwanted social stigma was the single largest barrier. Qualitative findings identified one main category: Expectant fathers missing and wishing for support for FOC composed four generic categories: (1) support in developing an understanding of their fear, (2) coping by being aware of feelings, (3) professional support through trust and respect, and (4) needing individualized support. To encourage healthy fathers, clinical professionals should find ways to support fathers, such as by providing them with their own perinatal appointments, asking them about their feelings, as well as screening, diagnosing, and treating fathers with severe FOC.

Mary Main's contributions to our family systems approach to interventions with parents of young children.

In this paper we describe our Berkeley colleague Mary Main's intellectual contributions to our program of creating and evaluating couples group interventions for parents of young children. The first section presents the theoretical model and the projects at the heart of our research program. The second section illustrates how the Adult Attachment Interview, a Couple Attachment Interview, or a questionnaire describing attachment styles helped us to understand how internal working models of both parent-child and couple relationships added to our observational measures of couple and parenting behavior to provide unique information. In a third section, we conclude that we did not have the kind of impact on Mary's thinking that Mary had on ours, but we are heartened by seeing increasing attempts of some developmental attachment theorists to include fathers in their studies and others who focus on the effects of the quality of relationship between the parents on their children's development.

The posttraumatic growth of fathers of preterm infants: protocol for a qualitative study in China.

Background: Prematurity presents a significant life crisis for families, often exceeding their expectations. Fathers of premature infants face the burden of multiple caregiving roles and undergo psychological changes. When confronted with such crises, individuals often engage in self-evaluation and may experience positive transformations. This study aims to employ a qualitative research methodology to explore the experiences of fathers of preterm infants. Materials and methods: A phenomenological approach design will be utilized, drawing upon semi-structured in-depth interviews informed by existing literature. Thematic analysis will be employed, adhering to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines. In-depth individual interviews, lasting 40-60 minutes, will be conducted with fathers of preterm infants to understand their experiences. The thematic analysis process will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to post-traumatic growth among these fathers. This methodology provides a structured approach to investigating the experiences and influences on post-traumatic growth in fathers of preterm infants. Results: This study will highlight changes in post-traumatic growth among fathers of preterm infants. Discussion: Research on the post-traumatic growth (PTG) of fathers of preterm infants is crucial to understanding the unique challenges and psychological transformations they experience. This study aims to explore the factors contributing to PTG in these fathers and how cultural contexts in China influence this process. By elucidating these aspects, the findings can inform targeted interventions and support systems tailored to the needs of fathers of preterm infants. The results may also contribute to developing guidelines and policies to promote psychological well-being and resilience among this population in the healthcare system. Ethics and dissemination: This study adheres to the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research and the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval has been obtained from the People's Hospital of Deyang Human Research Ethics Committee (No: 2019-04-150-K01). The research follows the principles of open science, and the findings will be published while ensuring participants' confidentiality.

'I want to be a different kind of father': a qualitative analysis of adolescent fatherhood in Perú.

Adolescent parents and their offspring experience worse health outcomes throughout the life course. While over 90% of adolescent births occur in low- and middle-income countries, data from many such countries are lacking, particularly from fathers. This qualitative study conducted in Lima, Peru characterises the experience of adolescent fathers and identifies potential intervention targets. Interviews with young fathers and the mothers of their children were coded and analysed using thematic analysis and a grounded theory approach. Factors impacting their experience included family support, changes in their relationship with their partner, gender dynamics, and financial pressure. The study identified family and couple conflict, gendered expectations, and the father's personal development as potential intervention targets. Further research is needed to develop interventions that effectively engage adolescent fathers in low- and middle-income countries such as Peru, and support their transition to fatherhood.

NICU Warriors: Engaging and Promoting the Mental Health of Black Fathers.

Although newborn intensive care (NICU) research highlights the mental health and support needs of parents, a majority of the research and interventions focus on the needs of the mother. Engaging and partnering with male caregivers (like female caregivers) in the care of their NICU infants yields positive health outcomes for the infant and better mental health outcomes for the father. Yet there are few articles about male NICU caregiving experiences, and scant articles exploring the mental health and support needs of Black NICU fathers. Utilizing two case studies of Black fathers, this paper will identify their mental health needs. This article will outline and integrate the Recommendation for Psychosocial Support of NICU Families and existing literature to these case studies. Based on their unique needs, NICU providers must do more to engage Black fathers and explore alternative models of care that are culturally aware for psychosocial support.

Low-income fathers are emotionally resilient: A qualitative exploration of paternal emotions across early parenting.

Emotions play an important role in fostering positive parenting and healthy child development. This qualitative study explored the affective experiences of racially diverse US fathers with low income across the prenatal, postnatal, and early childhood periods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 fathers. Interview questions asked about fathers' early parenting experiences that elicit parenting emotions of different valence. Results from thematic analysis demonstrated activation of multiple emotions depending on different proximal and distal experiences. Specific to proximal experiences, fathers reported feeling both excited and anxious about pregnancy and joyful and disappointed at childbirth. Related to distal experiences, fathers reported feeling encouraged by their social support networks that further aid their parenting, but feeling marginalized given systematic barriers (e.g., societal bias, high incarceration rates of Black fathers). Most importantly, fathers' parenting emotions, especially negative ones, led to them resolving to stay involved in their children's lives, gaining a sense of responsibility, and changing behaviors to do right by their children. Fathers resorted to various coping strategies to regulate their negative emotions. Overall, fathers with low income are emotionally resilient. Infant and early childhood health professionals should support fathers' mental health to promote father-child engagement and thus, ultimately, young children's mental health and wellbeing.

Las emociones juegan un papel importante en fomentar una crianza positiva y un saludable desarrollo del niño. Este estudio cualitativo exploró las experiencias afectivas de papás de Estados Unidos de bajos recursos económicos que son racialmente diversos a lo largo de los períodos prenatal, postnatal y la temprana niñez. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semiestructuradas con 24 papás. Las preguntas de la entrevista trataban acerca de las tempranas experiencias de crianza de los papás que provocaban emociones de crianza de valencia diferente. Los resultados de análisis temáticos demostraron la activación de múltiples emociones dependiendo de diferentes emociones proximales y distales. Específico a las experiencias proximales, los papás reportaron sentirse tanto emocionados como ansiosos acerca del embarazo y alegres y decepcionados al momento del nacimiento. Con relación a las experiencias distales, los papás reportaron sentirse animados por parte de sus redes de apoyo social que ayudaron en su acercamiento a la crianza y sentirse marginalizados dadas las barreras sistemáticas. De manera más importante, las emociones de crianza de los papás especialmente las negativas, les llevaron a decidir mantenerse involucrados en las vidas de sus niños, adquiriendo un sentido de responsabilidad y cambiando conductas para hacer lo correcto con sus niños. Los papás recurrieron a varias estrategias para regular sus emociones negativas. En general, los papás de bajas entradas económicas son emocionalmente fuertes. Los profesionales de la salud infantil y en la temprana niñez deben apoyar la salud mental de los papás para promover la compenetración papá­niño y a la larga, la salud mental y el bienestar de los niños pequeños.

Mental health in mothers and fathers of children with chronic disorders.

Objective: This study applied the Family Systems Illness Model to examine how child disorder severity influences mental health in mothers and fathers of children with chronic (mainly developmental) disorders (CD). Methods: We measured parental mental health and perceived child disorder severity among 204 mothers and 125 fathers of 220 children with CD and compared the mental health scores with norms. We analyzed how much of the variance in parental mental health was explained by child disorder severity, including discrepancy between maternally and paternally perceived severity. Results: Compared to norms, we found elevated mental health problems in both mothers (d = 0.45) and fathers (d = 0.20) of children with CD. Mothers had higher scores than fathers on both mental health problems (d = 0.63) and severity (d = 0.43). Perceived disorder severity was similarly associated with mental health problems for mothers (ß = 0.23) and fathers (ß = 0.34). Discrepancy between maternal and paternal perceived disorder severity did not influence parental mental health. Conclusion: Findings suggest gender-specific challenges in parenting children with CD. Subjective perception of disorder severity plays a substantial role for parental mental health. Innovation: This comparative study of mothers and fathers contributes to a predominantly mother-focused field.

Lived Experiences of Migrant Fathers in the Perinatal Period: A Systematic Review and Analysis.

The worldwide population of migrant families is on the rise, and there is growing acknowledgement of the significance of supporting parental mental health within these families. However, understanding of the experiences of migrant fathers during the perinatal period remains incomplete. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of existing research on perinatal migrant fathers' experiences in different cultures. Multiple searches were conducted in April 2023 for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies across six electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. Fourteen eligible articles were identified, including nine qualitative studies, five quantitative studies, and no mixed-methods studies. The Mixed-methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of these studies. The quantitative findings were transformed into narrative summaries to be analysed thematically along with the qualitative data. Three themes were identified: (1) Cultural competence (dealing with cultural differences, needs related to original country); (2) Parenthood in a new country (challenges and adaptation to fatherhood, challenging traditional gender norms, lack of extended family and building new support networks, being the main supporter for the family); (3) Needs of the fathers and their personal difficulties. The findings of this review suggest a direction for future research in perinatal psychology. The review also provides insights into the need for social and community support for migrant fathers and how healthcare services can support this group during the perinatal period.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Paternal Parenting Experience: A Scoping Review.

The objective of this scoping review was to map the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the paternal parenting experience. Studies published between January 2020 and October 2021 reporting on paternal mental health, interparental relations, and child interactions were eligible. Forty studies from 17 different countries were included. Most studies included data from both mothers and fathers (83%); five studies reported data from fathers only, and three examined same-sex partners. Most commonly reported outcomes included division of childcare activities (n = 14), delegation of household tasks (n = 10), depression (n = 12), and stress (n = 9). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fathers varied globally with no clear trends except for the division of childcare and household tasks, in which fathers increased their contribution to childcare and household tasks yet mothers continued to experience a higher domestic burden. Further research is recommended to advance our understanding of how fathers coped during the COVID-19 pandemic and document the long-term impact of the pandemic on families.

The Knowledge Acquired by Parents in Pregnancy Monitoring Consultations.

(1) Pregnancy surveillance nursing consultations in the pandemic context have undergone some changes, namely the restriction of accompanying persons. In this sense, assessing the knowledge acquired by parents in pregnancy surveillance is of great importance. Since there are no studies on the subject in the period before the pandemic, we will only assess the knowledge acquired by parents in pregnancy monitoring. (2) For this reason, the aim of our study is to evaluate the knowledge acquired by parents in pregnancy surveillance. (3) This study is descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative in nature, with a sample of 196 couples. A questionnaire was administered about the knowledge acquired by parents in pregnancy surveillance nursing consultations. (4) Pregnant mothers and their partners reported having some knowledge. The classification was assessed using a questionnaire with quantifiable response options from 1 to 5 points. Items with a score of 1 indicate a low level of knowledge and 5 indicates a higher level of knowledge. (5) We can verify that the level of knowledge acquired by the pregnant mother during the pregnancy surveillance nursing consultation is higher than the level of knowledge acquired by the father during the same consultation. Most parents consider it important to receive information through the pregnancy surveillance nursing consultations carried out by Maternal and Obstetric Health Nurse Specialists (midwives).

Effectiveness of a Social-Media-Based Diet and Physical Activity Programme for Fathers in Japan: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Provision of healthy lifestyle support for fathers can improve the lifestyles and health awareness of not only fathers but also their children and families. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of education targeting healthy fathers provided via social media. Hence, we aimed to clarify the effects of providing fathers with information on healthy lifestyle habits via social media on their awareness and behaviours regarding diet, physical activity, and healthcare, in addition to such a programme's indirect effects on their children. This randomised controlled trial included 73 fathers of primary school children in Japan. The intervention group received information on 'healthy lifestyle', 'lifestyle-related diseases', 'healthy diet', and 'healthy physical activity' via social media six times every 2 weeks. Data were collected before, 3 months after, and 4 months after the intervention. The intervention was effective in improving some awareness regarding diet, physical activity, and healthcare. In addition, the fathers in the intervention group demonstrated significantly improved interest in their child's diet and exercise habits. Social-media-based diet and physical activity programmes for fathers improved their awareness and behaviour. Therefore, social-media-based health education programmes can be an important tool for increasing fathers' interest in their own health and in their children's lifestyles.

Paternal exercise induces antioxidant defenses by α-Klotho/Keap1 pathways in the skeletal muscle of offspring exposed to a high fat-diet without changing telomere length.

Although previous studies demonstrated that the ancestral lifestyle can enhance the metabolic health of offspring exposed to an obesogenic diet, the specific connections between these positive effects in redox state and telomere length are unknown. We investigated the impact of paternal resistance training (RT) on stress-responsive signaling and the pathways involved in telomere homeostasis in skeletal muscle. This investigation encompassed both the fathers and first-generation litter exposed to a long-term standard diet (24 weeks) and high fat diet (HFD). Wistar rats were randomized into sedentary or trained fathers (8 weeks of resistance training). The offspring were obtained by mating with sedentary females. Upon weaning, male offspring were divided into four groups: offspring of sedentary or trained fathers exposed to either a control diet or HFD. The gastrocnemius was prepared for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, ELISA, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. RT upregulated shelterin mRNA levels and antioxidant protein, preserving muscle telomere in fathers. Conversely, HFD induced a disturbance in the redox balance, which may have contributed to the offspring telomere shortening from sedentary fathers. Preconceptional paternal RT downregulates Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) mRNA levels in the skeletal muscle of progeny exposed to HFD, driving an increase in Glutathione reductase mRNA levels, Sod1 and Catalase protein levels to mitigate ROS production. Also, paternal exercise upregulates α-Klotho protein levels, mediating antioxidative responses without altering shelterin mRNA levels and telomere length. We provide the first in-depth analysis that the offspring's redox state seems to be directly associated with the beneficial effects of paternal exercise.