Your health, your baby’s health: explaining epigenetics

In this episode of Dad Starts Now, host Nick West chats with Professor Patrick Western to unpack how a man’s health before conception can influence his future kids.​ Professor Western breaks down epigenetics — the way your lifestyle choices can switch genes on or off without changing your DNA — and what that means for your child’s long-term health. They cover how things like diet, stress, and even your mental health before and during pregnancy can have an impact.

Episode highlights

01:00 Understanding epigenetics and its importance
10:42 Everyday choices and their impact on epigenetics
20:02 Health before conception: Timing and importance
27:37 Mental health and its influence on future generations
30:16 Key takeaways for future dads

Appearing in this episode

Prof Patrick Western

Reproductive Biologist at the Centre for Endocrinology and Reproductive Health at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Department of Molecular and Translational Science at Monash University