Surprising Ways Your Family Affects Your Health

The effects your siblings have on you aren’t all bad, however. A study of 500 men from the University of Sheffield found men raised with a lot of brothers produced stronger sperm and were more likely to have sons. Being the second or third child also reduces the likelihood of suffering from allergies. Large households diminished the likelihood of obesity; one study found only children had a 50% greater risk of being obese than those in homes with brothers or sisters. However, the youngest sibling also shares a similar risk. Additionally, research shows that if an older sibling is obese, the likelihood a following sibling is obese increases six fold.