A higher paternal ultra-processed food consumption is directly associated with parameters of neonatal anthropometry

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of paternal consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on neonatal anthropometry and adiposity. We hypothesized that higher paternal consumption of UPF could influence neonatal anthropometry and adiposity. Prospective cohort nested within a randomized controlled trial for pregnant women with overweight was conducted in the primary health care of a Brazilian municipality. UPF consumption was estimated through two 24-hour dietary recalls, following the NOVA classification. Data on birth weight and length were obtained and neonatal anthropometry was assessed at the first pediatric appointment. Neonatal adiposity was estimated by using an anthropometric prediction model. Adjusted multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the effect of E% UPF in the paternal diet on neonatal anthropometry and adiposity. Adjustment variables were defined by using Directed Acyclic Graphics. In total, 43 triads of fathers, pregnant mothers, and newborns of the control group were included in the study. The mean ± SD of UPF E% in the paternal diet was 30 ± 15. The paternal UPF E% was directly associated with birth weight [β = 12.81 (95% CI: 2.55; 23.10) p = .02], ponderal index at birth [β = 0.051 (95% CI: 0.004; 0.098) p = .04], and supra-iliac [β = 0.02 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.04) p = .03] and thigh [β = 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01; 0.06) p = .02] skinfolds. However, no association was found with neonatal adiposity. The data suggest that E% from UPF in the paternal diet is associated with some parameters of neonatal anthropometry, but not with neonatal adiposity. Future studies are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.