A recent study has revealed that delaying marriage can significantly reduce the risk of obesity among Pakistani women, particularly in urban areas. The research, based on data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2012–13 and 2017–18), found that over half of adult women in Pakistan are overweight or obese, with delaying marriage playing a key role in lowering this risk, especially in cities.
Experts have long noted that marriage often leads to weight gain due to lifestyle changes, with some couples even experiencing obesity directly linked to marital pressures. The study, led by the University of York, emphasized that postponing marriage provides women with greater access to education, health information, and opportunities to form healthier habits.
The research highlighted how social gender norms and urban living have accelerated obesity rates in Pakistan, particularly for women who marry young. Early marriage often limits women’s access to education, health knowledge, and decision-making power at home—factors that contribute to unhealthy weight gain.
The study also found that delaying marriage helps balance the age gap between spouses, which increases a woman’s influence in household decisions, including food choices. This empowerment not only improves the woman’s health but also benefits her children’s well-being.
However, despite the positive effects of delaying marriage, nearly 40 percent of Pakistani women still marry before the age of 18. The study showed that for urban women, each additional year of delay reduced the risk of obesity by approximately 0.7 percent, with those marrying at 23 or later experiencing the most significant protective effect.