Marriage has long been associated with improving health and longevity, especially among men, as many studies suggest that married people usually follow a healthier lifestyle, such as reducing smoking, eating better, and increasing the demand for medical care.
However, recent research reveals that marriage may also be associated with weight gain and higher obesity rates, posing a long-term health challenge for couples.
Does weight increase after marriage?
According to "Healthline," a study that followed over 8,000 people showed that married women gained an average of about 24 pounds (11 kg) during the first five years of marriage, and the same applies to men, indicating that living with a partner increases the likelihood of obesity for both genders.
Researchers found that happier and more satisfied couples tend to gain more weight compared to less satisfied couples, explained by a decreased motivation to maintain weight when feeling secure and accepted by a life partner.
The same study showed that weight gain can be "contagious" among couples, a phenomenon known as Concordance. If one spouse becomes obese, the other's risk of obesity increases by up to 37%, due to similar daily behaviors such as food quality and lifestyle.
On the other hand, a Polish study published on "WebMD" showed that married men have about three times the risk of obesity compared to unmarried individuals, based on the analysis of data from 2,405 people in Poland with an average age of 50.
The study also found that marriage increases the likelihood of weight gain by 62% in men and 39% in women, and each additional year of marriage raises the risk of weight gain by 3% in men and 4% in women, while the risk of obesity increases by 4% in men and 6% in women.
However, other studies indicate that couples generally eat healthier food than singles, but they pay less attention to body mass index or the amount of dietary fats. On the other hand, physical activity tends to decrease after marriage, possibly because of less concern about appearance or due to the pressures of daily commitments.
But why does weight increase after marriage?
Researchers believe that weight gain after marriage is not the result of a single factor, but the result of cumulative changes in lifestyle and daily habits. After marriage, couples tend to:
- Spend more time at home and eat meals together.
- Reduce social or physical activities compared to before marriage.
Over time, these small changes can lead to a gradual increase in weight.
Also, a sense of emotional stability may make some people less concerned about their external appearance or maintaining an ideal weight, depending on their feeling of acceptance and support from their partner. Although this feeling is psychologically beneficial, it may sometimes be accompanied by a laxity in maintaining healthy habits.
Increased daily responsibilities, such as work pressure, managing home affairs, and childcare, contribute to reducing the available time for physical activity or planning healthy meals, leading some couples to resort to fast or ready-to-eat foods due to their ease of preparation, resulting in higher caloric intake than the body needs.
How do married people maintain a healthy weight?
To reduce the risks of weight gain associated with marriage, several practical strategies can be adopted, including:
- Engaging in joint physical activity: such as daily walking or home exercises, involving children if possible.
- Committing to homemade healthy meals: and reducing reliance on restaurants and ready-to-eat foods high in fats and sodium.
- Choosing nutritious snacks: such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts instead of fast food and sweets.
- Conducting regular check-ups: and monitoring weight and health indicators together, and providing mutual support to achieve goals.
The Balance Between Happiness and Health
Some studies suggest that marriage may be linked to weight gain, but this does not mean that marriage itself leads to obesity or deteriorating health. On the contrary, many couples enjoy greater social and emotional support, an important factor in maintaining mental and physical health.
Therefore, the real challenge lies in achieving a balance between emotional stability and a healthy lifestyle, by adopting good dietary habits and maintaining a suitable level of physical activity, so that married life becomes a source of support for health rather than a burden on it.
