Delaying Marriage Lowers Obesity Risk in Pakistani Women
Another important finding is that women who marry later often have smaller age gaps with their husbands
ISLAMABAD: A new study has found that delaying marriage can significantly lower the risk of obesity in Pakistani women, especially those living in urban areas. This comes as previous research shows that both men and women tend to gain weight after marriage, with some couples even becoming obese due to their shared lifestyle.
This recent research, published in a medical journal, analyzed data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2012–13 and 2017–18. It revealed that more than half of adult women in Pakistan are either overweight or obese. However, delaying marriage was shown to help reduce this risk, particularly for women in cities.
Experts believe that early marriage increases the chances of obesity in women. Many young brides face pressure to start a family early, and often do so without proper health education, nutritional knowledge, or personal control over household decisions. These factors all contribute to unhealthy weight gain after marriage.
The research, led by the University of York, points out that the combination of urban lifestyles and strong gender expectations is a key reason for rising obesity levels in Pakistan. Women who delay marriage tend to get more education, which in turn gives them access to better health information and the ability to make informed choices about their lifestyle and diet.
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Another important finding is that women who marry later often have smaller age gaps with their husbands. This closer age range creates better balance in relationships, giving women more say in household decisions, including food choices. As a result, their health improves—not just for themselves, but also for their children.
Despite the advantages of delayed marriage, the study highlights that nearly 40% of Pakistani women still marry before turning 18. For women living in cities, each year of delayed marriage reduces the risk of obesity by nearly 0.7%. The strongest protective effect was seen in women who married at age 23 or older.
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