Research
shows that couples who`ve said I do enjoy benefits such as improved heart health
and even a boost in happiness// But now researchers from Switzerland have
discovered that single people have something married people don`t: a lower
number on the scale// The recent Social Science * Medicine study, from
researchers at the University of Basel and the Max Planck Institute for Human
Development, compares the relationship between marital status and body mass
index (BMI) and includes data from 10,226 people in Austria, France, Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom// While
the researchers did not find much difference between countries, the study did
show an association between living in wedded bliss and having a higher BMI//
Specifically, single men had an average BMI if 25//7, while married men had an
average BMI of 26//3// And single women had an average BMI of 25//1, while
married women had an average BMI of 25//6// According to the World Health
Organization, a person with a BMI of 18//5 to 25 is considered normal weight, while a BMI between 25 and 30 is considered
overweight and a BMI above 30 is considered obese//
How
Often You Should Weigh Yourself if You`re Trying to Lose Weight Interestingly enough,
couples reportedly purchased more fresh, locally grown foods (a//k//a// not
processed or packaged), with the married men buying more organic and fair-trade
items// However, the couples were less physically active than the single people
in the study// Our findings indicate
that couples are not healthier in every respect, as has previously been
assumed, says study co-author Jutta Mata
in a statement//
15
Things Nobody Tells You About Losing Weight The study only showed an
association, and does not prove that being married causes weight gain// But
other studies have shown the same results, Julie Upton, MS, RD, co-founder of
Appetite for Health, tells Yahoo Health// Single men and women are more body conscious,
so they do a better job of keeping weight in check, Upton, who was not involved in this latest
research, explains// Singles also have
more time and motivation to work out, so that also helps keep them in shape// So how can those who`ve made a commitment to
their Mr// or Ms// Right not pack on extra pounds? They can make a commitment to maintaining or
increasing their attention to their diet, Upton advises// For example, they should
realize that they may not be able to consume as much food, or eat as
frequently, as their partner, she says//
