A father's decision to smoke or his weight during his own teenage years can physically accelerate the biological aging of his future children.
Epigenetic markers on DNA act like a biological clock that measures how fast our cells are wearing out. Children whose fathers started smoking or were overweight during puberty show signs of faster cellular aging. These lifestyle factors from a man's youth appear to leave a permanent mark on his sperm that is passed down to the next generation. This study proves that a man's health choices as a teenager have consequences long before he ever becomes a parent. Improving the health of adolescent boys could be a key to ensuring the long-term longevity of their children.
Epigenetic age acceleration in offspring linked to paternal smoking initiation and overweight in puberty: Evidence from a two-generation study
medRxiv · 10.64898/2026.05.05.26352444
Abstract Background: Father's adolescent smoking and overweight affect respiratory health in offspring, suggesting that paternal puberty exposures may influence offspring biological ageing through preconception epigenetic mechanisms. Methods: We analyzed epigenetic age acceleration using four validated epigenetic clocks derived from blood DNA methylation in 892 RHINESSA offspring (mean age 27 years), linked to parental data on smoking and body shapes from RHINE/ECRHS. Linear regression examined