Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
05:10
Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
Entry into romantic partnership is associated with obesity
Natalie S The1, Penny Gordon-Larsen
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|April 11, 2009
Summary
Romantic partnerships and cohabitation increase obesity risk. Shared environments influence weight gain and obesity-promoting behaviors, particularly in married couples or those cohabiting for over two years.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Obesity risk is correlated between spouses, but mechanisms are unclear.
- Understanding how relationships influence obesity is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between romantic partnership, cohabitation duration, and incident obesity.
- To examine the impact of partnership on obesity-promoting behaviors like physical activity and screen time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two datasets from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
- Employed sex-stratified logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression analyses.
- Analyzed anthropometric measurements and self-reported behavioral data from adolescents and adult couples.
Main Results:
- Transitioning to cohabitation or marriage increased obesity risk compared to remaining single or dating.
- Partner concordance for obesity-related behaviors was highest in married couples and those cohabiting for ≥2 years.
- Shared household environments appear to influence obesity risk and behavioral concordance.
Conclusions:
- Romantic partnerships and cohabitation duration are significant factors in obesity development.
- Shared living environments play a role in obesity risk and partner behavioral concordance.
- Targeting shared household environments may be effective for obesity interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
01:30Social Relationships and Well-Being
The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...
01:21Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Physical attractiveness plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal attraction, influencing first impressions, social interactions, and long-term relationship dynamics. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that attractiveness affects social evaluations and behavioral outcomes in various contexts.Influence on Social InteractionsResearch has shown that individuals perceived as physically attractive often experience preferential treatment in social and professional settings. One...
01:23Jealousy in Romantic Relationships
Jealousy is an instinctive yet socially complex emotion that arises when a close relationship is threatened. Its origins lie in both biological imperatives and sociocultural conditioning, making it a multifaceted psychological construct. Although universally experienced, the triggers and expressions of jealousy vary notably between individuals, especially across genders, due to evolutionary pressures and cultural influences.Gender Differences and Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary theory explains...