Men who are stressed can pass on anxiety and depression to their children and grandchildren, scientists in Australia have found, in a study which indicates parental advice has been “disproportionately” focused on the health and diet of women.

The study, based on mice which were fed stress hormones, examined the behaviour of the first and second generations of offspring. It found that the later generations – that had no contact with their fathers - showed signs of increased anxiety and depression and that such behaviour may be passed on via molecules called “microRNAs” which affected genetic outcomes.

“People have assumed that apart from passing on half his genome, a father’s job is done,” Professor Anthony Hannan, from Melbourne’s Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, told The Herald Sun.

“But … the experience of the father before conception can directly influence the genetic information in the developing embryo.

"High levels of chronic stress have increased in our society, particular in recent decades, so we’re potentially setting up an epidemic of mental health problems in the next generation.”