Weight Gain In Women Linked to Mates and Children

A new large study just published in the January issue of The American Journal of Preventive Medicine states that is has evidence that women, even those without children, put on more weight over time when living with a significant other than those living alone.

The variable weight gain among groups was that a 10-year weight gain per a 140 lb. woman equaled to an average of 20 lbs if she had a child and a mate, 15 lbs. if she had a mate but not a child, and only 11 lbs. if she was alone and without children.

The research also suggested that the weight gain within the group of women with partners and no children was consistent with behavioral changes versus metabolic changes within the body. Over the ten years observed by the study, there was consistent weight gain among the group of women.

Within the group of women whom did have children, a different synopsis was shared by the lead researcher of the study and professor of bio-statistics at the University of Queensland in Australia, Annette J. Dobson, whom believes that the cause may be physiological.

“Women’s bodies may adjust to the increased weight associated with having a baby,” Dr. Dobson stated. “There may be a metabolic adjustment that goes on when women are pregnant that is hard to reverse. This would be more consistent with our findings than any other explanation.”

More than 6,000 Australian women participated in the study for a ten-year span that ceased in 2006.

“It’s interesting and brings out some important points,” reported Maureen A. Murtaugh, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Utah who has researched and written many studies in the area of weight gain in women. Ms. Murtagh suggests that a difference in the activity within a woman’s social life may have some cause in the fluctuation of weight in the life of a woman with a significant other in her life.

“Think of going to a restaurant,” she explains, “They serve a 6-foot man the same amount as they serve me, even though I’m 5 feet 5 inches and 60 pounds lighter.”

Another study that was cited within the study explained here due to its similar research consisted of an increase of obesity within groups of men with children.

Weight gain across the board within groups of women, according to Dr. Dobson is a problem.
“This is a general health concern,” she said. “Getting married or moving in with a partner and having a baby are events that trigger even further weight gain.”

“From a prevention point of view, one can look at these as particular times when women need to be especially careful,” she follows.