Entry into romantic partnership is associated with obesity

Abstract

BMI is highly correlated between spouses; however, less is understood about the underlying mechanism(s) by which the development of obesity in one individual increases the risk of obesity in his/her spouse. The objective of this study is to investigate whether romantic partnership and duration of cohabitation are related to incident obesity and obesity-promoting behaviors. We used two data sets from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health: (i) 6,949 US adolescents (wave II, 1996) followed into adulthood (wave III, 2001-2002) and (ii) 1,293 dating, cohabiting, and married romantic couples from wave III, including measured anthropometry and self-report behavior data. In the longitudinal cohort, we used sex-stratified logistic regression models to examine the risk of incident obesity by longitudinal romantic relationship status and duration of time spent living with a romantic partner. In the Couples Sample, we used multinomial logistic regression to predict concordance in outcomes: obesity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and screen time by romantic partnership and duration of time living with a romantic partner. Individuals who transitioned from single/dating to cohabiting or married were more likely to become obese than those who were dating at both waves. Partner concordance for negative, obesity-related behaviors was strongest for married couples and couples who lived together > or =2 years. The shared household environment may increase the likelihood of becoming obese, influence partner concordance, and may be an important target for obesity intervention.

Figure 1

Relationship type predicting partner concordance of A)obesity, B)MVPA, and C)sedentary behavior, Add Health, Couples Sample (wave III (2001−2002); multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for partners’ race (white/white, white/nonwhite, nonwhite/nonwhite), education (≥12 years/≥12 years, ≥12 years/<12 years, <12 years/<12 years) and age (male and difference between male and female)). MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Figure 1

Relationship type predicting partner concordance of A)obesity, B)MVPA, and C)sedentary behavior, Add Health, Couples Sample (wave III (2001−2002); multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for partners’ race (white/white, white/nonwhite, nonwhite/nonwhite), education (≥12 years/≥12 years, ≥12 years/<12 years, <12 years/<12 years) and age (male and difference between male and female)). MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Figure 2

Duration (in years) living together predicting partner concordance of A)obesity, B)MVPA, C)sedentary behavior, Add Health Couples Sample (wave III (2001−2002); multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for partners’ race (white/white, white/non-white, non-white/non-white), education (≥12 years/≥12 years, ≥12 years/<12 years, <12 years/<12years), and age (male age and difference between male and female age)). MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Figure 2

Duration (in years) living together predicting partner concordance of A)obesity, B)MVPA, C)sedentary behavior, Add Health Couples Sample (wave III (2001−2002); multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for partners’ race (white/white, white/non-white, non-white/non-white), education (≥12 years/≥12 years, ≥12 years/<12 years, <12 years/<12years), and age (male age and difference between male and female age)). MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.