Working moms healthier, thinner than stay at homes

Women who juggle career and family tend to be thinner and healthier as they approach midlife than long-term stay-at-home moms, a new study suggests - fewer than 23% of women in stable relationships who had raised children and held outside jobs for many years were obese at age 53, compared to 38% of women who were described as long-term married homemakers. In addition, full-time homemakers reported the most poor health, followed by single mothers and the childless.

Researcher believe “being able to participate fully in society, both in and outside the home, is important for health.”

The findings also suggested that the stresses associated with holding down a job while raising small children take their toll on women’s health, especially when children were younger than 6; but it began improving afterward.