Study: Divorced Men Fitter, Divorced Women Less Fit

A new study has found that while the majority of middle-aged men improve their fitness levels in the wake of a divorce, middle-aged divorced women are often less fit than married women of the same age.

The divorce study, which was published in this month’s volume of the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed 9,000 men and women over the age of 45 over eight years. During the study, participants were tested on a treadmill over regular intervals and asked about their relationship status. The results found that while divorced men increased their fitness levels significantly, divorced women became less fit.

Researchers believe that single men have more time for exercise and have more reason to stay fit because of their single status. Single women may concentrate on other aspects of their appearance that are unrelated to fitness, such as weight. Others believe that men may be more likely to work off the negative feelings of an ended marriage through exercise, while women may be less likely to focus on fitness when depressed.