Now that a British study has indicated that working married moms enjoy better health than their underemployed or childless peers, researchers are wondering why that is the case. The Scientific American reports on the mystery, and on the study, which looked at the health of 1,400 women at different times in their adult life. Sciam reports that of the 555 working mothers, only 23 percent proved obese by age 53,
compared to 38 percent of the 151 full-time homemakers, who also
averaged the highest body-mass index of all six categories of women,
rounded out by single working mothers, the childless, multiply-married
working moms and intermittently-employed married mothers. Full-time homemakers reported the most poor health, followed by single
mothers and the childless.
In a paper presenting the findings in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers wrote that "results suggest that good health is more likely to be the result,
rather than the cause, of multiple role occupation." Read more in the Scientific American online.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Sunday, May 11, 2025
While it was great to hear parenting lauded as a management tool, I’m not sure I always agree. Because of caring for my kids, my energies at work are diminished. I am always exhausted. My brain works far less well than it did before sleep-deprivation became a constant in my life. I can’t stay late at work even when I have to (although I can work on my computer in my kitchen until 1 a.m. and often do!). Sure, I’m more efficient. I’m more understanding and sympathetic. My multi-tasking skills could win me an Olympic medal. I like to think I see a more holistic view of life than I did before I had kids. But on many days, I’m just scraping by, cutting corners, doing the best I can within the limited hours I now have to devote to work. What I’ve gained by becoming a parent seems cancelled out by the energy, flexibility and mental acuity I’ve sacrificed.