Men’s Health and Fatherhood in the Urban Midwestern United States

Abstract

A sample of U.S. urban fathers was studied using in-depth qualitative interviews to better understand how having children might influence the fathers’ health and health behaviors. Over three-quarters of the men reported positive changes to their health behaviors since becoming fathers. The specific examples cited as positive changes by fathers included; positive changes in diet, increased frequency of exercise and physical activity, taking better care of themselves in general, decreased alcohol use, and less risk-taking behavior. A key shift is also identified in men’s perspectives around the transition to fatherhood. Recommendations are provided to clinicians who seek to design interventions that reengage men in the health care system and caring for their health.