Divorce a health problem for men
16 Mar 2012

Divorce a health problem for men

2 mins to read
Dealing with challenges in your relationship can have a significant impact on your health and wellness. Online personal trainer Andrew Cate looks at the health implications for men who go through a divorce.


How does the relationship with your partner impact upon your health?

Many personal, social, and behavioural factors throughout life will influence a man’s body weight. Marriage has been identified as an important relationship for promoting health1a, while marital transitions such as divorce cause changes in diet and activity patterns that affect weight.

Separating from a partner can change the supportive, economic and social resources for healthy behaviour that happily married men enjoy. However, scientific research has demonstrated conflicting results about weight gain versus weight loss after marital dissolution. A recent study has identified differences between men and women when it comes to weight changes after divorce, especially in people who are middle aged.

The research

Research conducted at Ohio State University tracked more than 10,000 people over a period of 22 years to investigate weight changes in the two years following a marriage or divorce.

They found when it comes to large weight gains, the effects of marital transitions are quite different for men compared to women.

For men, the risk of a large weight gain increased most significantly after a divorce (while for women it was after marriage). According to the researchers, the weight gain experienced by divorced men aged 30-50 may be large enough to pose a potential risk to their health. The probability of weight gain became more pronounced as people got older.

The researchers concluded that married men get a health benefit from marriage, but they lose that benefit after a divorce, which may explain their weight gain. It is important to note that this study is yet to be published in a scientific journal, and more research is needed to make definitive conclusions.

Practical implications

If you're a man dealing with separation and divorce, the lifestyle choices you make can have a big impact on your health. The stress and unsettlement that come from exiting a marriage will impact upon men differently.

While some men may take on a new lifestyle with great enthusiasm to improve their appearance and attract a new partner, others may have difficulty dealing with sadness and loss, and could find it hard to prioritise health.

Either way, the following suggestions may help all men prevent weight gain after marital separation:

  • Get organised with your food – If you spend more time alone, it may require a little more effort to prepare healthy meals. Resist the urge to get take away by planning your meals in advance, and cooking double batches so your freezer is always stocked with quick and easy dinners.
  • Find support – It can be easy to let things slide without a spouse to monitor your behaviour. Find some alternative form of accountability, be it a personal trainer, group fitness class or online training program to help you stay on track.
  • Moderate your alcohol intake – Some men may turn to alcohol and other drugs to help deal with the difficulties associated with divorce, but this could make matters worse. Try to identify other activities or rewards that boost your mood, or seek out counselling organisations or professionals if you are having trouble coping.


References available upon request



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