Married men are more likely to get fat.

Men are likely to get fat once they marry

Men are likely to get fat once they marry

A new study has found that chaps pay less attention to their weight once they have tied the knot and pile on the pounds during the first five years of marriage.

This is because married men drink more alcohol and are less active than their single counterparts - playing only a third as much sport as bachelors.

Data from men aged between 18 and 45 living at 6,000 homes in China between 1989 and 2015 revealed that married men were 5.2 per cent more likely to be overweight and 2.5 per cent more likely to be obese.

However, females typically stayed at the same weight once they had wed.

Dr. Shiwen Quan, of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The average effect of marriage on men's daily calorie intake shows an upward trend... but there is no clear pattern for women.

"Men often exercise less and eat more after tying the knot, leading to a higher body mass index. Those seeking a partner are motivated to control their physical health, while those already married may be less inclined to do so."