The study found no similar link between marital status and weight in women.
Researchers analyzed data from 2,405 people around the age of 50. They determined that married men had a 3.2 times higher risk of being overweight compared to single men.
The study also confirmed that the likelihood of obesity increases with age—by 3 percent per year for men and 4 percent per year for women.
The risk of full obesity rises even more sharply, at 4 percent annually for men and 6 percent for women.
While marital status did not appear to influence women’s weight, researchers noted that other factors played a role.
Women’s body weight was often affected by depression and their knowledge of healthy lifestyles.
"Women are more likely to take action to control their weight, which may be driven by both internal motivation and social pressure," said Dr. Alicja Cicha-Mikołajczyk, who led the research team.
Experts from NIKard emphasized the need to intensify public health efforts to promote healthy habits and proper nutrition.
'10 for the Heart'
The institute pointed out that obesity is one of 10 key risk factors for cardiovascular disease identified in its "10 for the Heart" initiative, led by Prof. Piotr Dobrowolski.
This initiative highlights both measurable health indicators—such as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, and body weight—and lifestyle factors, including healthy eating, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, getting quality sleep, managing stress, and staying physically active.
'Obesity is a chronic disease'
"Excess body weight contributes to more than 200 different diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and cancer," said Prof. Aleksander Prejbisz, head of NIKard’s Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion.
He added: "Obesity is a chronic disease with complex causes, including poor diet, lack of exercise, genetic predisposition and stress. What makes our latest findings particularly interesting is the link between obesity and marriage in men."
The findings will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity, set to take place in May in Malaga, Spain.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP