Babies Who Look Like Their Father Will Be Healthier, Says A New Study

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Babies Who Look Like Their Father Will Be Healthier, Says A New Study

Marie Claire

Even if they don't admit it, when babies are born, most parents hope their kids will look more like them than their spouse. There's something special about sharing a physical attribute with their child, even if it's only small, like the same dimple in their smile, or having strikingly similar color of eyes.

But, while we just thought our offspring's facial features were also just a superficial shell that inhibits their soul, youngsters who turn out looking like their fathers are actually healthier than those who do not.

Before you say that sounds ridiculous, a new study claims babies who resembles their father are less likely to spend time in hospital or suffer from health concerns like asthma attacks.

Why? Because these children's fathers supposedly have an increased presence in their lives.

According to the study published in the Journal of Health Economics, dads who believe their children look like them are more inclined to be involved in their lives.

"Fathers are important in raising a child and it manifests itself in the health of the child," Dr. Solomon Polacheck, one of the research authors and professor at Binghamton University, said.

"Those fathers that perceive the baby's resemblance to them are more certain the baby is theirs and thus spend more time with the baby," he added.

The study looked at 456 families where both parents agreed their babies looked like the father, but primarily lived with their mothers.

According to the study, kids who live with a single parent are at a disadvantage compared to children who live with both parents, as it will affect them for the rest of their lives.

It adds that fathers who don't live with their children spend an average of 2.5 more days a month with their lookalike children, because they're reassured they are biologically related.

This is what leads to the overall health of the baby, as their increased bonding time allows for "greater parental time for care giving and supervision and for information gathering about child health and economic needs."

Do you think a child's good health is connected to looking like their dad?

[H/T: Metro]

Maya has been working at Shared for a year. She just begrudgingly spent $200 on a gym membership. Contact her at maya@shared.com