Widowhood brings change

The death of a spouse can have far-reaching effects on the survivor. The living spouse must cope not only with emotional loss, but also with a sea of changes in daily routines.

Some of these changes have the potential to affect food intake, which in turn can lead to weight loss and deterioration of nutrition status. Grief itself can affect both appetite and the desire to prepare food or care for oneself. And, losing a spouse often means losing a life partner who was an integral part of food-related activities like marketing, food preparation, and dining.

Widowhood's effect on weight

In a study reported in a recent Journal of Aging and Health, researchers sought to learn more about the effects of widowhood on body weight and eating behavior in older adults. The study was an offshoot of a second study, the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), an on-going research project initiated in 1989 to examine cardiovascular disease in older adults.

The researchers recruited 58 people (10 men and 48 women), all of whom became widowed while participating in the CHS. For comparison, the 58 widowers were randomly matched with 58 married people from the CHS who were the same age, gender, and race.

Questionnaires were used to assess food intake, eating behaviors, weight history, and cognitive and physical functioning in both the widowed and married groups.

The researchers found that individuals in the widowed group were more likely than the others to have experienced recent weight loss. In the widowed group, 41% of the participants lost weight, compared to 26% of those in the married group. Widows also reported less enjoyment of eating, and, as might be expected, reported eating more meals alone.

The slippery slope of weight loss

Involuntary weight loss is of concern because it can be a marker for underlying nutrition problems that in turn can affect health. For example, subpar nutrition can compromise the immune system. Older adults, who are more likely than younger people to have inadequate nutrient intakes, may be at particular risk if they begin to lose weight. The researchers note that older adults are less likely than others to regain lost weight. Thus, losing a significant amount of weight following the death of a spouse can begin a weight-loss trend. While this might not be of immediate concern, continued weight loss can jeopardize overall health and well-being.

Granted, grief cannot necessarily be put aside for the sake of a meal. But extending food and friendship to the recently widowed may be helpful. And, for those who have a lost a spouse, making the effort to eat as well as possible is essential for good health.