A study conducted by the National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw, Poland, reveals that marriage significantly raises the risk of obesity in men, but has no such effect on women. The research also shows an increased risk of both sexes becoming overweight if married.
Global obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990, with over 2.5 billion adults and children classified as overweight or obese. By 2050, more than half of adults and a third of children are predicted to be overweight or obese.
While poor diet, inactivity, genetics, environmental toxins, and underlying health conditions are known to contribute to obesity, the researchers aimed to explore other potential influences. They analyzed the medical and general health data of 2,405 people with an average age of 50, assessing connections between weight gain and factors such as age, marital status, mental health, and others. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Málaga, Spain, found that married men were 3.2 times more likely to be obese than unmarried men, while there was no significant increase in obesity risk for married women. Additionally, marriage raised the chances of being overweight by 62% in men and 39% in women.
This finding supports earlier research, including a 2024 study in China, which showed that men’s BMI increases in the first five years of marriage, likely due to higher calorie consumption and less physical activity. The Chinese study also found a 5.2% rise in overweight men and a 2.5% increase in obesity among married men. Another study from the University of Bath showed that married men were, on average, 1.4 kg heavier than their unmarried counterparts.
The Warsaw study also found that age contributed to weight gain. Each year of increased age raised the risk of being overweight by 3% in men and 4% in women, with the risk of obesity increasing by 4% in men and 6% in women.
Some factors appeared to influence obesity risk exclusively in women, the researchers noted. Depression doubled the likelihood of women becoming obese, while poor health literacy raised the risk by 43%. Additionally, women living in smaller communities were more likely to be obese, while these factors did not appear to affect men.
Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, commented: “This study is yet another reminder that excess weight is driven by a complex mix of social, psychological, and wider environmental factors – not simply personal choice. With each passing year, the risk of living with overweight or obesity increases, particularly for women. Meanwhile, the link between marriage and obesity in men highlights how lifestyle changes, habits, and societal expectations shape our health.
“The research also suggests that men may be more likely to gain weight after marriage due to factors like increased portion sizes, social eating, and a decline in physical activity, whereas women perhaps remain more conscious of body weight due to societal pressures.
“Instead of blaming individuals, we need policies that make healthy choices the easy choices – through better food environments, education, and support at every stage of life.”
