The Warsaw National Cardiovascular Research Institute (Poland) analyzed the health and medical data of 2,405 people, giving this result. The study was published at the European Obesity Conference held in Malaga, Spain this year, according to the Guardian.
Researchers have analyzed the link between weight gain, marital status, and mental health in participants, with an average age of 50.
The results showed that married men had a 3.2 times higher risk of obesity than single men, while the risk of obesity in women did not increase significantly.
In addition, marriage increases the likelihood of being overweight by 62% in men and 39% in women.
A study conducted in China last year also showed similar results. In the first 5 years after marriage, men tend to consume more calories and exercise less, leading to an increase in body mass index (BMI).
Specifically, the rate of overweight men increased by 5.2% and the rate of obesity increased by 2.5% after marriage.
Another 2017 study also showed that men tend to gain weight after marriage. This study was conducted by the University of Bath (UK), based on data from American couples in the period of 1999-2013.
The results showed that the BMI of married men was higher than that of unmarried men. On average, a married man gains about 1.4 kg after marriage.
Notably, during his wife's pregnancy, the male BMI did not change much, but began to increase immediately after his wife gave birth.
Conversely, before and after divorce, men's BMI tends to decrease. This shows that married life has a direct impact on weight changes in men.
Researchers say that marriage is often accompanied by a more regular and enriched diet, contributing to weight gain.
Its important to understand how social factors like marriage and raising children can affect an individuals weight, says Joanna Syrda, a lecturer at the University of Bath. If married men want to avoid increasing the BMI ratio, they should pay attention to personal motivation, eating habits and lifestyle changes.
Meanwhile, for women, depression and lack of health knowledge are factors that increase the risk of obesity.
Specifically, depression increases the risk of obesity by 2 times, while poor access to health information increases this risk by 43%.
In addition, women living in small communities also have higher rates of obesity.
Ms. Katharine Jenner, Director of the British Obesity and Health Association, commented: This reminds us that obesity is not simply an individual choice, but is also influenced by many social, psychological and environmental factors. Therefore, there should be policies to support nutrition, education and lifelong health care to help people make healthier choices.
