Guys have "gut" reaction to second trips down aisle

A study of male health professionals in the United States finds that remarriage negatively affects men's health: body mass index (BMI) goes up, and the amount of physical activity performed each week decreases. On the positive side, men who marry again eat more vegetables than those who don't remarry after being divorced or widowed. The marriage "penalty" Married people generally have healthier lifestyles than unmarried people, but this study indicates that this principle does not apply across the board. Researchers used longitudinal data collected from over 38,000 men aged 40 to 75. The researchers had predicted that remarriage would bring about improved health and increased physical activity levels. However, they found that a new marriage may take time away from routine physical activity and that regular meal patterns can lead to increased food intake-hence the higher BMI. How to fight back Marriage doesn't have to mean a larger waistline and less activity. Couples can participate in physical activities together and share multiple benefits such as the opportunity to spend time together, support each other in maintaining a physical activity routine, try new activities, and live a long, healthy life together. Work together to shape up! Active Living Every Day, an e-mail newsletter from the physical education company Human Kinetics, offers the following suggestions for physical activities that can be done with a spouse (or a friend, child, or co-worker). Hike at a state park or trail. Walk through the neighborhood after dinner. Bike or walk to a lake or park for a picnic. * Till a patch of land in your backyard, and plant a garden. Swim after work or on a week end afternoon. Join your local YMCA or health club; meet there after work for a class or strength training; cook a meal together at home later. * Walk to a museum or shopping area, and take a few extra laps around the building to add more steps for the day. Want to learn more? Active Living Every Day and Healthy Eating Every Day offer suggestions on how to include more physical activity and eat better for a lifetime. Visit the Active Living Partners Web site at www.ActiveLiving.info for more information about Active Living and Human Kinetics. Article Sources: Blair, Steven N., Andrea L. Dunn, Bess H. Marcus, Ruth Ann Carpenter, and Peter Jaret. Active Living Every Day Human Kinetics; Champaign, IL, 2001. Eng, Patricia Mona, Ichiro Kawachi, Garrett Fitzmaurice, and Eric B. Rimm. "Effects of marital transitions on changes in dietary and other health behaviours in US male health professionals". Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2005; 59: 56-62.