Is a Divorced Dad a Healthier Dad?

 Posted on July 11,2017 in Divorce

Fathers who put on weight and lose muscle tone are said to have “dad bods.” However, it may be more accurate to say they have “husband bods.” A recent study published in “Social Science & Medicine” found that married men tend to have a higher body mass index than men who are single or recently divorced.  Statistics showed that men put on weight after marriage and becoming a father. Men lost weight immediately before and after divorce. The results support two social science theories about the effect marriage has on men’s health.

Marital Market Theory

The marital market theory claims that single and married men have different incentives to maintain their health and fitness:

• Single men feel motivated to stay in shape in order to attract a mate; and
• Married men feel secure in having a spouse and no longer need to attract someone with their physical appearance.

The theory has logic but does not universally apply. Many married men try to stay in shape for the benefit of their own health. Becoming a father may actually give a man more incentive to stay healthy. The theory also does not explain why men lose weight before they are divorced and back on the market.

Social Obligation Theory

Social scientists also follow the social obligation theory that a married man’s weight gain is a result of his new lifestyle:

• Married men may eat more regular meals as part of their routines with their spouses; and
• Couples are more likely to attend social functions that include rich food and plentiful servings.

This theory better explains why men in the process of getting divorced lose weight. Divorcing couples typically stop sharing social obligations. The study’s author concludes that the data supports both the marital market and social obligation theories.

Conflicting Studies

Before you think that divorce is the new weight loss plan, you should better understand the limits of the study. The data showed the immediate weight loss that occurred after a divorce but did not show whether the weight loss was sustained. The author also admits that the stress of divorce may cause weight loss.

Graduate students from Ohio State University conducted a 2011 study that showed the opposite result: Men were more likely to gain weight immediately after a divorce. Men age 30 and older were particularly at risk. The authors believed that divorced men: 

• Have less time to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine without their wives performing household tasks; and
• Are less likely to follow through on routine medical checkups.

Healthy Divorce

Your body weight is unlikely to be your primary consideration when you choose to divorce. A Kane County divorce attorney at Goostree Law Group can discuss the benefits of divorce and how to reach a satisfactory settlement. To schedule a free consultation, call 630-584-4800.

Source:

https://www.fatherly.com/health-science/divorced-married-bmi-weight/

https://news.osu.edu/news/2011/08/17/weightshock/