Men DO get fatter after they get married because they eat more and exercise less after tying the knot, scientists say

Scientists have confirmed what women have always known - men become fat and lazy after marriage.

Men start piling on the pounds in the first five years after tying the knot because they eat more calories and exercise less, researchers found.

They said marriage has 'a significant effect' on BMI scores, which measure a person's healthy weight - with an extra 5.2 per cent of men becoming overweight after marriage and obesity rates increasing by 2.5 per cent.

However, there was no evidence of a similar trend among women.

The study was conducted in China, but the researchers believe it is a universal fact.

Scientists have confirmed what women have always known - men become fat and lazy after marriage (stock photo)

Men start piling on the pounds in the first five years after tying the knot because they eat more calories and exercise less, researchers found (stock photo)

Shiwen Quan, of the Chinese Academy of Social Science, said: 'This phenomenon, commonly referred to as "happy fat", has been substantiated by numerous cohort studies conducted in developed Western countries.

'After tying the knot, men often exercise less and eat more, and this leads to a higher BMI.

'Men are facing a significant risk of obesity as they age, so after marriage, it's important that they don't "let themselves go" by maintaining healthy eating habits and exercising regularly.

'In contrast, there was no clear trend for female BMI after marriage.'

The study, published in Economics & Human Biology, found that male BMI scores continue to rise within the first five years after getting married, followed by a period of stabilisation.

They said marriage has 'a significant effect' on BMI scores, which measure a person's healthy weight - with an extra 5.2 per cent of men becoming overweight after marriage and obesity rates increasing by 2.5 per cent (stock image)

The researchers said it highlights the importance of promoting physical fitness and health management within families - and suggested that health authorities should target newlyweds with dietary advice.

They said public health policies should consider marriage as 'an intervention window' for addressing individuals' weight management needs, and 'post-marriage body management plans' should be designed for both genders.

Previous studies have found the greater an individual's satisfaction with their intimate relationship, the more likely they are to be obese.

• A separate study found that the scent of a woman may lead to early death in men. Researchers in New Zealand found that exposing middle-aged male mice to the smell of a female caused them to 'invest' bodily resources into their reproductive systems, leading to premature ageing and increased mortality - giving new meaning to 'femme fatale'.