Family life is generally thought to be good for men – but starting too early may be less so, researchers say today.
Men who become fathers before the age of 25 face an increased risk of dying when they are middle-aged, Finnish researchers found.
The research sought to account for factors that might explain this – such as poor educational achievement.
The researchers say that young fathers face this risk regardless of social factors.
This may be because of the stress of taking on family responsibilities at a young age, the researchers report in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
The researchers traced the fate of more than 30,500 men born between 1940 and 1950. Some 44% were fathers before the age of 25.
Researcher Dr Elina Einiö, of the University of Helsinki, Finland, said: “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."
Is young fatherhood causally related to midlife mortality? A sibling fixed effect study in Finland Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 4 August 2015; doi 10.1136/jech-2015-205627
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