Inherent differences between men and women have been discussed for ages, but a study recently published in Time Magazine sheds new light on just how differently men and women cope with divorce. Researchers at Ohio State University followed 10,000 men and women between the ages of 14 and 22 from 1979 through 2011, focusing on their weight changes and life circumstances. The study showed that while women gained the most weight over time, particularly after marriage, the men consistently gained more weight than women did following a divorce, Towson divorce lawyers report.
Analysis of the data suggests several reasons for this phenomenon. The female participants in the studied showed the highest weight gain following marriage when pregnancy, childcare, and work left little personal time or opportunities for exercise. Men, on the other hand, tended to maintain their weight or even lose weight following marriage, most likely the result of better lifestyle habits that developed while they were actively involved in family life.
Researchers pointed out that when the study began in 1979, women had a more active role in maintaining the household, particularly in the area of meal planning. Men were most often the bread winners at that time, with the majority relying on their wives to decide their eating habits. Alcohol consumption also declined for men after marriage, which could also contribute to their lack of weight gain.
As the study continued over the years, those marriages that ended in divorce showed a reverse trend in weight gain between men and women. The male participants in the study showed a higher average weight gain than their spouses post-divorce. Analysts suggest that the reason for this trend is that a lot of men returned to their premarital lifestyle after a divorce, often including less fruits and vegetables in their diets, greater alcohol consumption, less exercise, and living alone. Women in the study tended to gain fewer pounds and in some cases, actually lost weight post-divorce. Their alcohol consumption slightly decreased and a large majority took more time to exercise.
Researchers concluded that men and women tend to react differently to the stresses of marriage and divorce. Lifestyle, dietary choices, and exercise were key factors for those who maintained or lost weight, and proved to be even more important in preventing weight gain following a divorce. Participants in the study that got married or divorced after the age of 30 had a higher tendency to gain weight than those under 30 years of age. Stresses such as child custody and property division were known to affect participants’ weight as well.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC offer a Full Range of Divorce Services
Divorce is a very difficult transition for a married couple and their children, often leading to physical and emotional stress that can result in health problems. Towson divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC understand this stress and are committed to helping their clients reach amicable settlements as quickly and painlessly as possible.
If you or someone you know is considering divorce, call us at 443-589-0150, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our offices are located in Hunt Valley, Pikesville, and Towson, and we serve clients throughout Maryland including in Baltimore County, Harford County, Carroll County, and Howard County as well as Essex, Columbia, and Bel Air.
