Scientists have confirmed what women have always known — men become fat and lazy after marriage.
Men start piling on the pounds within five years of tying the knot because they eat more calories and exercise less, the researchers found.
They discovered that marriage is ‘associated with a significant effect’ on BMI scores, with an extra 5.2 per cent of married men being overweight and obesity rates increasing by 2.5 per cent.
However, there was no evidence of a similar trend among women.
Men start piling on the pounds within five years of tying the knot because they eat more calories and exercise less, the researchers found (stock)
The study was conducted in China, but the researchers believe it is an international problem.
Shiwen Quan, of the Chinese Academy of Social Science, said: ‘This phenomenon, commonly referred to as “happy fat”, has been substantiated by numerous cohort studies conducted in developed Western countries.
‘After tying the knot, men often exercise less and eat more, and this leads to a higher BMI.
‘Men are facing a significant risk of obesity as they age, so after marriage, it’s important that they don’t “let themselves go” by maintaining healthy eating habits and exercising regularly.
‘In contrast, there was no clear trend for female BMI after marriage.’
The study, published in Economics & Human Biology, found that male BMI scores continue to rise within the first five years after getting married, followed by a period of stabilisation.
The researchers said it highlights the importance of promoting physical fitness and health management within families — and suggested that health authorities should target newlyweds with dietary advice.
They said public health policies should consider marriage as ‘an intervention window’ for addressing individuals’ weight management needs, and ‘post-marriage body management plans’ should be designed for both genders
Previous studies have found the greater an individual’s satisfaction with their intimate relationship, the more likely they are to be obese.
One previous survey also found that the average person gains over 2st after meeting their partner.
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 2 whole-wheat cereal biscuits, 2 thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks) choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts
• Drink 6-8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
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