Purported “Marriage Bonus” Of Better Health Not Entirely True

A European study finds that though marriage is generally good for a couple’s health – the so-called “marriage bonus” – it can lead to an obesity problem. Married couples tend to eat better than unmarried people, but they exercise less and tend to weigh more. The study looked at health data gathered from face-to-face interviews with 10,226 adults in nine countries. Couples, both men and women, tended to have a higher body mass index than singles, even though they ate more healthful foods. The key factor contributing to weight gain seems to be reduced participation by men in sports.