Delaying Marriage in Urban Pakistan Reduces Women's Obesity Risk

Recent research indicates that postponing marriage can significantly lower the likelihood of obesity among women living in urban areas of Pakistan. This groundbreaking study utilized data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 2012–13 and 2017–18, revealing that despite over half of Pakistani women being overweight or obese, those who marry later enjoy protective health benefits.

The investigation uncovered that early marriage correlates with heightened obesity risk, primarily due to factors such as limited fertility control, reduced educational attainment, and diminished health awareness. Women who delay marriage tend to acquire more education, increase their decision-making power, and have better access to health information, all contributing to healthier lifestyles.

Furthermore, the study emphasizes how gender norms and urbanization influence these outcomes. Each additional year women delay marriage in urban settings is associated with a 0.7 percentage point reduction in obesity risk, with the most notable effects observed for women marrying at age 23 or older. Delayed marriage also entails fewer pregnancies and more autonomous health choices, leading to improved long-term health.

The research by the University of York, led by Wiktoria Tafesse, sheds light on the importance of empowering women through education and autonomy regarding marriage decisions. It suggests that policies encouraging later marriage could help combat the rising tide of obesity-related non-communicable diseases, especially in developing countries undergoing nutritional transitions.

Published in the journal Economics and Human Biology, this study underscores how evolving gender norms and urbanization contribute to health trajectories and highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to improve women's health outcomes.

[Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-reveals-delayed-marriage-obesity-urban.html]