Marital status changes can impact weight

A change in marital status can have a significant effect on a person's weight, according to a new study.

Interestingly, the triggers for weight gain differ between the sexes. Men are at increased risk of large weight gain after a divorce, while for women it is most likely to occur following the marriage itself.

Researchers from Ohio State University used data from the 10,071 participants of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth in 1979 whose lifestyles were monitored yearly until 1994 and bi-annually after that.

The focus was on how factors such as pregnancy, poverty, education and socioeconomic status influence weight fluctuations, with one of the most noteworthy findings being that marriage and divorce was more likely to lead to weight gain in people over the age of 30.

All results were presented yesterday (August 22) at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Las Vegas.

However, those responsible for the research admitted that their findings could not provide a definitive insight into why marital status had this effect.

People who feel they could be at risk of gaining unwanted kilograms due to a major life event might wish to consider weight loss pills, as well as the obvious benefits to be gained from exercise and a healthy diet.

Posted by Juliet Pemberton