PRESS RELEASE: OnePoll (Fathers to be)
Written: Friday 22nd May, 2009
EATING FOR TWO
NEWS COPY
Expectant Dads put on ONE STONE in weight during their partner's pregnancy, it was revealed yesterday.
In addition to buying a maternity wardrobe, a quarter of men were forced to buy a 'paternity' wardrobe to match their growing frame.
But dads are quick to blame their weight gain and expanding waist line on their partners.
A fifth of dads say their partner started to feed them larger meals, whilst 41 per cent said more snacks 'appeared' in the house.
A third of those polled claimed their partner's appetite increased significantly, so to make themselves feel better they made sure dad ate for two as well.
Favourite 'male pregnancy' snacks include pizza, chocolate, crisps, and more inappropriately, beer.
The poll of 5,000 British dads, conducted by www.onepoll.com, revealed the average dad puts on at least two inches around their waist.
And 25 per cent admit they ate more food to make their partner feel more comfortable about her growing figure.
Forty two per cent of couples spent more time visiting pubs and restaurants for dinner to make the most of their precious time together before the baby was born.
A fifth of expectant dads only realised they had put on weight when their clothes stopped fitting.
But 19 per cent said their mates made it clear they were fatter than before - when they joked about who had the 'bun in the oven'.
A spokesman for www.OnePoll.com said: ''The average woman puts on about two and a half stone during her pregnancy, and it's not at all uncommon for her to crave more fatty foods and need more regular snacks.
''In fact, women are encouraged to consume an additional 300 calories a day - through eating healthier snacks - to make sure the nutritional needs of the baby are met.
''So if the kitchen cupboards are suddenly brimming with snacks and food, its no wonder blokes are tempted to tuck in as well.
''The only problem seems to be that men are choosing to snack on unhealthier options such as sweets and cakes - and I don't think women can be blamed for their partner's drinking more beer.''
Once the baby was born, 31 per cent of dads joined their partner's on a post pregnancy diet - but 44 per cent were disappointed to find she lost weight quicker than they did.
More than a third of dads credit their partners fast weight loss to the fact she breastfed the baby, but 19 per cent admit they were devastated they couldn't shift the 'baby weight' as well.
ENDS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8063004.stm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1185627/Eating-Why-fathers-baby-weight-pregnancy.html
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
