What Is "Relationship Weight Gain" and How to Avoid It?

Relationship weight gain happens to many couples as they tend to do more things together. A survey showed that being in a relationship could result in the derailment of one's health. However, your health should not be sacrificed over love.

Here are some facts of relationship weight gain and how to avoid it.

New Couples Tend to Gain More Weight Than Established Ones

According to Healthline, newlywed couples are more likely to gain weight than those who have been married for too long.

A study of over 8,000 people found that women gain about 24 pounds on average during the first five years of marriage, while those who cohabitate gain 18 pounds, but those in a relationship but live separately gain 15 pounds.

Men also experience weight gain, although the difference between those who were married and those who were only living with their partner is not very profound. The study concluded that living together increases the risk of obesity for both men and women.

Meanwhile, a study about happy newlyweds revealed that they gain more weight than those dissatisfied with their marriage. The researchers concluded that these happy couples tend to gain weight because they need not put in extra effort to maintain their weight to attract a mate.

So, for those couples who gained some weight, this could mean that you are satisfied with your relationship and think your partner is the one.

ALSO READ : Poor Sleep Quality May Be Responsible for Weight Gain

Is Weight Gain Contagious?

Going back to the study of 8,000 people mentioned in Healthline, the researchers said that there is a positive correlation between obesity and the change of relationship status from being single or dating, to being married or living together.

They noted that women are likely to become obese a year after living together with a partner while men's risk increase within two years. This is called concordance. There is a 37% likelihood that the other partner will also become obese when one of the couples becomes obese.

This phenomenon is explained as that behavior is contagious, especially when living in close proximity. Without knowing, the couples start to eat the same things and do similar activities.

How to Avoid Relationship Gain?

Shape.com has identified six effective ways to avoid relationship gain to save you from the risk of developing obesity and other health issues:

Switch Your Date Nights Into Healthier Options- Instead of going to a bar where you are surrounded by high-calorie drinks, try to invite your partner to your favorite yoga classes or go to the gym and start your couple goals as fit and fab.
Eat Healthy Meals- Nutritional scientist professor Dr. David Levitsky said cooking at home instead of eating out could save at least 250 calories per meal. Fish is also the best entree as it is low in calories than other meat.
Control Your Snacks- Snacking could add up to your weight. So try to choose healthy options, like nuts, seeds, and other healthy sources of protein.
Exercise Everyday- Couples should exercise together as they are more likely to stick with a workout program.
Involve the Family- When you are expecting, cravings are inevitable. The couple should be mindful and actively participate in choosing healthy food for the baby and the mother.
Reconnect With Your Spouse/Partner- Taking time to reconnect with your partner helps with overall health. Studies suggest that those in happy marriages tend to sleep well, smokeless, and maintain body weight.