A new study links marriage to rising obesity rates in men, tripling the risk compared to unmarried men.
Researchers discovered that while both men and women are more likely to gain weight after marriage, the effect is considerably stronger for men.
Study overview
According to Firstpost, Dr Alicja Cicha-Mikołajczyk from the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw, Poland, examined 2,405 Polish to assess the correlation between health literacy, social support, and weight status.
The findings will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain this May.
The impact of marriage on obesity
According to The Independent, the research revealed that 35.3% of participants were of normal weight, while 38.3% were classified as overweight, and 26.4% as obese.
The study found that each additional year of age increased the risk of being overweight by 3% in men and 4% in women.
It also raised the risk of obesity by 4% in men and 6% in women.
Married men are 62% more likely to be overweight and 3.2 times more likely to be obese than unmarried men.
Married women also faced a heightened risk, with a 39% greater likelihood of being overweight than unmarried counterparts.
Health literacy, social support, and mental health
The study assessed participants’ health literacy, social support, and mental health status. Findings showed that:
- 55% of participants demonstrated good health literacy, which refers to the ability to obtain, understand, and apply health-related information to make informed decisions.
- 50% had moderate social support.
- 15% experienced depression.
Researchers emphasised the importance of public health initiatives to improve awareness and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Gender differences in weight management
Researchers noted that societal attitudes towards weight differ between men and women.
“We assume that women accept living with being overweight, but they do not accept living with obesity.
Women are more likely than men to take various actions to lose weight, such as increasing physical activity or even returning to smoking tobacco,” they stated.
However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as gender norms and cultural expectations may play a role in weight management behaviours.
Researchers emphasised that improving health education and promoting healthier lifestyle choices could help address this growing public health issue.
Understanding how marriage influences weight gain, including diet, physical activity, and mental well-being, is key to developing effective public health strategies.
What steps do you think individuals and society should take to address the link between marriage and obesity?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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