BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhuanet) -- A recent study in Britain reveals that working mothers are less likely to become obese than women who who are fulltime stay-at-home housewives.

    The study was published in the British Medical Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

    The study said that women who are fulltime homemakers gained weight at a faster rate. About 38 percent of them were likely to be obese compared to 23 percent of women who juggled between domestic and social roles.

    Research leader Dr Anne McMunn, of University College London, tracked women born in 1946 and analysed their health aged 26 and 54 ¡ª along with their jobs, marital status and number of children.

    They found that by the age of 54 women who have been housewives for all or most of their lives are most likely to say their health is poor, or they are more likely to be heavier.

    But women who have been wives, mothers and employees are much less likely to suffer ill health or be fatties.

    The researchers conclude that good health among women is more likely to be the result, rather than the cause, of multiple role occupation. Enditem  

    (Agencies)