# Paternal influence on children's weight outcomes

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON COLLEGE · 2020 · $622,266

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
Approximately 15% of children under 5 have obesity. Research shows that parents are the primary
influence on young children’s weight-related behaviors and resulting weight status. However,
research in this area has focused almost exclusively on mothers; less than 10% of studies on
parenting and childhood obesity published since 2009 include any results for fathers. Overlooking
fathers in childhood obesity research is concerning given emerging research identifying the strong
influence of fathers on children’s weight outcomes. Guided by the Lifecourse Theory and leveraging a
unique opportunity in a large, national study (the Growing Up Today Study, GUTS), we will develop a
large cohort of fathers and examine: (1) preconception and contemporary factors influencing fathers’
weight-related parenting; (2) developmental pathways linking fathers’ preconception behaviors,
weight-related parenting and children’s weight outcomes and behaviors, and (3) how fathers’
parenting compares and interacts with that of mothers. To address these aims, we will use utilize
existing measures of fathers’ weight-related behaviors collected since adolescence and compile new
data on their parenting engagement and their food, physical activity, media and sleep parenting
practices. This study’s large (n=1000) and diverse sample of fathers – including biological, adoptive
and social fathers – provides an unparalleled, time-sensitive opportunity to examine the influence of
fathers on their young children’s weight-related behaviors and outcomes. Results from this study will
guide the timing, intensity and content of preconception care and family-based childhood obesity
prevention interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9993633
- **Project number:** 5R01HD098421-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Kirsten Davison
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $622,266
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-12 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9993633

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9993633, Paternal influence on children's weight outcomes (5R01HD098421-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9993633. Licensed CC0.

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