This study tested selection and causal effects on the marriage‐health link by analyzing predictors of mortality through body mass index (BMI) and chronic illnesses (CI) on emerging adults (EA; N = 302) who were followed biannually for 8 years from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Results showed EA with unhealthy BMI's are more likely to marry and improve their BMI after marrying, substantiating selection and causal effects. Only the selection effect was substantiated for CI, whereby White EAs with CI were less likely to marry. Marriage appears to benefit overall health for EA, as findings suggest improved health behaviors after marriage. Future research should assess what health behaviors change during marriage for EA and if they help CI management.

中文翻译：

---

嫁给健康还是嫁给健康？

这项研究通过分析新兴成年人（EA; N = 302）的体重指数（BMI）和慢性病（CI）死亡率预测指标，分析了婚姻与健康之间关系的选择和因果关系，这些成年人每两年进行一次随访，随访时间为8年。收入动态专题研究。结果显示，具有不健康BMI的EA结婚后更有可能结婚并改善其BMI，从而证明选择和因果关系。对于CI，只有选择效应得以证实，因此具有CI的白色EA结婚的可能性较小。婚姻似乎有益于EA的整体健康，因为研究结果表明，婚后健康状况得到改善。未来的研究应该评估EA结婚期间哪些健康行为会发生变化，以及它们是否有助于CI管理。