The objective of this study was to examine the association between parenthood and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among a nationally representative sample of United States adults. A cross sectional analysis was conducted with adults aged 20–59 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016. Adults were classified as parents and non-parents based on the presence of children birth-17 years in the home. CVD risk factors assessed included: physical inactivity, obesity, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, glycohemoglobin, and smoking status. Multivariable logistic regression models stratified by sex were used to examine the association between parenthood and each risk factor. 10,908 adults (5,329 [49%] male, weighted mean age 39.6 years) were included. In adjusted analyses, fathers had greater odds of obesity (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.04–1.42) and lower odds of being a current smoker (OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68–0.98) compared to non-fathers. Mothers had greater odds of physical inactivity (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.56) and low HDL cholesterol (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.06–1.45), and lower odds of being a current smoker (OR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.63–0.96) compared to non-mothers. Parents with younger children in the household tended to have greater odds of CVD risk factors compared to non-parents. No clear patterns emerged in CVD factor risk based on the number of children in the household. Parents are at greater risk for several modifiable CVD risk factors. This illustrates the importance of including parental health promotion in settings that serve children and implementing policies that support parental health and wellbeing.
