When you are making an effort to lose weight you are not only helping your health and wellbeing but you may even have an effect on other people losing weight.
One study finds that when one member of a couple loses weight, chances are that the other partner will also lose some weight, even if that person is not participating in any weight loss intervention.
This ripple effect seen in weight loss has shown limited results in previous studies which were based on the couples’ self-reported weight loss in a closely monitored clinical-based setting.
A new study from The University of Connecticut is the first to use randomised controlled design to look at the progress in weight loss in couples but in a less structured manner within widely available weight loss methods.
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130 couples were divided into two groups. In one group, one member of the couple was enrolled in a six-month structured weight loss program (Weight Watchers) which provided in-person counselling and online tools to assist in weight loss.
In the other group, one member of the couple received a four-page handout with information on healthy eating, exercises and weight control strategies such as portion size, choosing low-fat and low-calorie diet. No other assistance was given or contact was made with this group.
Couples were defined as those who cohabitated together regardless of marital status.
The researchers recorded objective measurements of weight loss in participants and examined their weight loss trajectories.
The results showed that untreated partners of those who tried losing weight on their own ( participants who received the handouts) and the ones who participated in the Weight Watchers program, also showed weight loss at three and six months.
Approximately one-third of the untreated partners lost 3 percent or more or their initial body weight after six months despite not participating in any weight loss intervention.
A three percent weight loss is considered a measurable health benefit indicating that when one member of a couple participates in any weight loss intervention whether it is losing weight on their own, joining a community-based lifestyle approach like Weight Watchers or working with a healthcare provider, their new healthy behaviour will have an effect on the other partner, thus benefiting them too.
The study also found that the rate at which couples are losing weight is interlinked. If one member lost weight at a steady pace then the partner would lose weight at the same pace and if one partner struggled to lose weight so would the partner.
The data suggest that weight loss can have a ripple effect and can spread across partners. Healthcare providers may need to take this into consideration during their assessments and treatment plan which have so far only targeted individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle.
How we change our exercise and eating behaviours can affect our partners both positively and negatively. On the positive side, our partners may start to emulate our behaviours in counting calories, weighing themselves and eating low-calorie foods.
Don’t be surprised if your partner loses weight too even if they haven’t actively done a single thing to lose weight.
Source: Obesity
