A new study has found that becoming a parent affects mothers’ health more significantly than fathers’, highlighting the unequal physical and lifestyle changes associated with parenthood.
The findings, published in the Journal of Family Studies, examined how the transition to parenthood influences the health and health-related behaviours of both mothers and fathers.
Researchers explored the effects of having children on physical health, mental well-being, and lifestyle habits, including levels of physical activity and smoking behaviour.
According to the study, while becoming a parent brings major changes to the lives of both men and women, mothers generally experience a greater impact on their overall health than fathers.
The researchers noted that pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, and the greater share of childcare responsibilities often undertaken by mothers can contribute to these differences.
The study also assessed whether becoming a mother or father influenced health-related behaviours, such as exercise habits and tobacco use, to better understand how parenthood affects long-term well-being.
The authors said the findings underscore the importance of providing adequate healthcare, social support, and workplace policies that help mothers manage the physical and emotional demands of parenthood while promoting healthy lifestyles for both parents.
The research adds to growing evidence that although raising children transforms the lives of both parents, the health burden associated with parenthood is often greater for mothers, reinforcing the need for targeted support during pregnancy and the years following childbirth.
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