A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discussed a new study of the diets of men and women after divorce.
The researchers assessed the health of 11,577 people who ranged in age from 40 to 80. The participant’s health was assessed from 1993 to 1997 and a second time from 1998 to 2002. As part of the assessment, the participants were asked about their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
As of the first assessment, 89% of the men and 78% of the women were married. Between the time of the second assessment, 2.4% of the men and 4.5% of the women became divorced, separated or widowed.
The divorced, separated or widowed men reported a 25% reduction in their consumption of fruits and vegetables as compared to the men who remained married. However, the divorced, separated or widowed women’s diets remained the same.
Also, alcohol consumption was about equal for the two groups of men. For divorced, separated or widowed women, alcohol intake went down by about one drink per week as compared to those women who remained married.
The researchers found the difference in the two groups of men significant because previous studies have shown a relationship between the reduced consumption of produce and a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.
