New research set to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) suggests that marriage significantly increases the risk of obesity in men, while aging raises the likelihood of being overweight or obese for both men and women.
The study, conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw, Poland, found that married men were over three times more likely to be obese compared to unmarried men.
How the Study Was Conducted
The researchers analyzed data from the WOBASZ II Survey, a large-scale study that tracks health trends in Poland. The study included 2,405 participants (1,098 men and 1,307 women), with an average age of 50 years. The participants were classified into three categories:
- Normal weight (35.3%)
- Overweight (38.3%)
- Obese (26.4%)
The researchers used tests to measure health literacy, depression, and social support. They then analyzed various factors to determine their link to weight gain.
Key Findings
- Marriage Increases Obesity Risk, But Only for Men
- Married men were 3.2 times more likely to be obese than unmarried men.
- They also had a 62% higher risk of being overweight.
- In women, marriage increased the risk of being overweight by 39%, but it did not significantly affect obesity rates.
- The researchers believe cultural differences in attitudes toward male and female obesity might explain this gender gap.
- Aging Raises the Risk of Weight Gain
- Every additional year of age increased the risk of being overweight by 3% in men and 4% in women.
- The risk of obesity grew by 4% per year in men and 6% per year in women.
- Living in Small Communities Affects Women’s Weight
- Women in towns with fewer than 8,000 people were 46% more likely to be obese and 42% more likely to be overweight compared to women in larger communities.
- The reasons for this are still under investigation, but the researchers are considering social, environmental, and psychological factors.
- No such link was found for men.
- Mental Health and Health Literacy Impact Women’s Obesity Risk
- Women with low health literacy were 43% more likely to be obese.
- Women who had borderline or diagnosed depression were twice as likely to be obese.
- These trends were not seen in men.
- Social Support Did Not Affect Weight
- The study did not find a strong connection between social support (such as family and friend interactions) and weight in either men or women.
What This Means
The study highlights the significant role of lifestyle and mental health in weight management. The link between marriage and obesity in men could be due to changes in diet, physical activity, or lifestyle habits after marriage. Women, on the other hand, seem to be more affected by psychological and environmental factors.
The findings also suggest that promoting health education and mental well-being could help reduce obesity rates, particularly for women. Since aging is a major factor in weight gain, maintaining healthy habits throughout life is crucial.
While the study provides important insights, it mainly focuses on the Polish population, and results may not apply to all cultures. Future research will be needed to better understand the factors behind these trends and to develop strategies for preventing obesity.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies that hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight.
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