Marriage: Taking the Plunge . . . Toward Obesity?

June 30, 2009

I think I've figured out America's next fad diet — staying single. A new study reveals that people who get married are twice as likely to become obese as those who are merely dating. Young people who move in with a partner also have a higher risk of gaining weight.

While the study is new, the theories explaining the scientific findings aren't that surprising. Researchers guess that mealtime becomes more important to couples who live together and that the security of already finding a mate encourages people to "let themselves go."

Has your relationship status ever impacted your weight?

42 Comments

3 years 37 weeks

Kudos to those who have managed to stay fit and slim. However, it's not so attractive being judgmental. Some people maintain their weight better than others, some must take medication, some get injured and must lay off exercise for awhile in order to heal, all of which contribute to weight gain. Just bear these things in mind before you berate a 'fat, sloppy wife' who has 'let herself go.' You may not know the whole story. That said, I'm age 50, 5'5" and 132 pounds, and am regularly thought to be at least ten years younger than I really am, but I have friends less fortunate. So be kind to each other.

PinkNC 3 years 40 weeks

I think there is some truth to this one. Most people probably care more when they're single. But after settling in with their mate for a long while then they tend to relax TOO much and allow themselves to let go weight wise. And I don't think most people get obese. I think they just gain 10-15 lbs extra before they notice and want to actually do something about it.

PinkNC 3 years 40 weeks

jamiejane 3 years 41 weeks

On the bright side, I would like to think that the weight gain is called "love pounds" as my mother referred to it.

lollofit 3 years 42 weeks

My guys loves it when I have a little more on my stomach! I'm not heavy in the slightest but his love for my body is very encouraging. It has helped me to want to take care of it even better :) He was a little sad to see my pooch go, but doesn't mind my new found abs either.

bengalspice 3 years 46 weeks

totally agree ... i gained so much weight probably because i was eating out more and eating things that had more calories than i used to eat.

Chrstne 3 years 46 weeks

I did not have the notion to "let myself go" by any means. Absolutely not. But sh*t happens. Actually, since I have gained weight, I feel much better than I did. Granted, I went from rarely eating to eating 3 meals a day, usually out, so here I am. I didn't let myself go by any means, and it's not as if you gain weight and stop wanting to look good, smell good, etc. In fact, I don't know a single married woman who has done that. I am sure there are many, but I don't know any. I am losing the weight. I think I have learned a valuable lesson: eat 3 meals a day all your life, don't eat out all the time, and your metabolism doesn't stay the same as you get older =)

shannon_xo 3 years 46 weeks

This is definately true...I definately adopted my boyfriends bigger portion size etc when we moved in together. Plus he does all the cooking...definately trying to get back on track though. It's like gaining the freshman 15 all over again!

dikke kus 3 years 46 weeks

Eh. I don't know. I think it has it has do with age too. Are we talking about couples who are 25 or 45? In the USA? Where we all drive our cars everywhere and sit in an office? Where we park our cars as close as possible at the grocery stores? Do you live in a place with winter for 8 months? It depends on many things. But sometimes families want dinner at night, and if you have children, what are you going to do, have a few chips and watch TV for a diet while your three year old manages for himself? You wind up cooking meals and you wind up eating more. I think it's IMPORTANT not to gain too much. You have to be sensitive to the physical attraction factor of your relationship. It can be a struggle. Sometimes I sit there at the dinner table and watch everyone eat while I sip a coke or something. So I give in sometimes. He cooks breakfast. I can't eat it. I have to cook my own. He makes lunch. I can't eat it, so I have a salad. It gets ridiculous. I have gained around seven pounds now after ten years of that. I run about sixteen miles a week and can't lose it. Maybe because I'm in my 40's now. Anyway as a size six I don't fit into the obesity after marriage category. I understand how it happens though and I feel sorry for those couples.

dikke kus 3 years 46 weeks

Eh. I don't know. I think it has it has do with age too. Are we talking about couples who are 25 or 45? In the USA? Where we all drive our cars everywhere and sit in an office? Where we park our cars as close as possible at the grocery stores? Do you live in a place with winter for 8 months? It depends on many things. But sometimes families want dinner at night, and if you have children, what are you going to do, have a few chips and watch TV for a diet while your three year old manages for himself? You wind up cooking meals and you wind up eating more. I think it's IMPORTANT not to gain too much. You have to be sensitive to the physical attraction factor of your relationship. It can be a struggle. Sometimes I sit there at the dinner table and watch everyone eat while I sip a coke or something. So I give in sometimes. He cooks breakfast. I can't eat it. I have to cook my own. He makes lunch. I can't eat it, so I have a salad. It gets ridiculous. I have gained around seven pounds now after ten years of that. I run about sixteen miles a week and can't lose it. Maybe because I'm in my 40's now. Anyway as a size six I don't fit into the obesity after marriage category.I understand how it happens though and I feel sorry for those couples.

RoaringSilence 3 years 46 weeks

I havent lost or gained any weight since I was 16 or so. I like to think that my husband lost some when we got married though, because now he gets to eat actual food, not hot pockets all day long. This article reminded me of a scene on some sitcom, it went something like this:[Wife storms in]Wife: Get up, we're going jogging! And we're going on a diet!Husband: But.. we said we could be fat now... it was our gift for our 40th birthdays.. Wife: Well that was before the new skinny neighbor moved in.

RoaringSilence 3 years 46 weeks

I havent lost or gained any weight since I was 16 or so. I like to think that my husband lost some when we got married though, because now he gets to eat actual food, not hot pockets all day long. This article reminded me of a scene on some sitcom, it went something like this: [Wife storms in] Wife: Get up, we're going jogging! And we're going on a diet! Husband: But.. we said we could be fat now... it was our gift for our 40th birthdays.. Wife: Well that was before the new skinny neighbor moved in.

xxstardust 3 years 46 weeks

My eating habits have changed, but definitely for the better. I struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. I was in recovery before we started dating, but his eating habits and his watchfulness over mine have definitely made it easier for me to keep myself on track. Also, I want to look good for him, even after being with him for a long time!

xxstardust 3 years 46 weeks

My eating habits have changed, but definitely for the better. I struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. I was in recovery before we started dating, but his eating habits and his watchfulness over mine have definitely made it easier for me to keep myself on track.Also, I want to look good for him, even after being with him for a long time!

cg130 3 years 46 weeks

I would never let myself go...I've never been in a serious relationship, but I know that my bf would have to be committed to exercise and healthy eating as well.

3 years 46 weeks

I gained 40 lbs because I got pregnant after our marriage. I lost 35 lbs of it but I'm still 5 lbs over the weight when we first met. Yeah, I couldn't dedicate precise exercise time as often as I used to (by going to the gym or going running/jogging/walking alone), but at least, I get to chase my son around who's learning to ride his bike. But my husband's kind of 'worse,' he's like 30 lbs heavier. (He was 50 lbs heavier, but we've been working on his food intake and he's started to exercise so he lost 20 lbs). Unlike other posters, I couldn't pick up his eating habit because it's unsuitable for me (he probably just eats once a day==yes, big portion and snack throughout the day).

Hiding55 3 years 46 weeks

I gained weight with my current bf because in the beginning our dates strictly revolved around eating. My bf loves his food and adventually my will power broke down and I allowed myself to indulge too much and too often. I'm back on track now losing the extra 15 lbs that gained on top of the 15 lbs that I usually gain over the winter. Yeah, 30 lbs! 17 lbs down and 13 lbs to go.

Amanda-La 3 years 46 weeks

spacekatgal THANK YOU! That's so sweet. You're getting a gift! ;)

medenginer 3 years 46 weeks

Since starting my relationship I'm losing weight and my man is finding it. I don't count calories or limit certain foods. I have an active job that keeps me at my size.

spacekatgal 3 years 46 weeks

Amanda, you've been gorgeous in every picture I've ever seen you in on this site. I think you're miles from letting yourself go. :)

bonniebonnie 3 years 46 weeks

p.s. I did not gain the weight because I felt like I could "let myself go." In fact, I feel the opposite. I think now that I'm in a long term relationship, it's even more important to "look good." If I feel good about myself then I will be a better partner for my fiance. I gained weight because all we ate was fast food. So gross. I'm healthier now than I was before I met him because he cooks amazingly delicious and healthy foods for me.

Amanda-La 3 years 46 weeks

I started gaining weight when I went on the pill which was for my relationship and it is difficult holding yourself back from eating everything that your mate eats because he has a faster metabolism. So I have to be more careful but I wouldn't want to let myself go. We regularly exercise and try to eat healthy including fresh fruit.

bonniebonnie 3 years 46 weeks

Yes! I've finally started to lose the 15lbs I gained in the first year I dated my fiance.

bonchicbongenre 3 years 46 weeks

No, but it probably helps that my finance is a health nut!

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 46 weeks

Only when I got pregnant! Ha! Other than that, I don't subscribe to the notion of "letting one's self go" in a relationship. With marriage and two kids, I still invest in my physical well-being.

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