Couples who diet together lose more weight than losing weight alone, study shows.
On average, they each lost 2.25 kg (or four and a half pounds) more when they joined forces to address unhealthy eating habits.
The researchers said the findings, by a team of experts at Bournemouth University, suggest that weight loss advice might be better targeted at married or cohabiting couples as it is common for them to have similar caloric intake.
And the findings also suggest that a “domino effect” means that one person’s efforts to lose weight can benefit their partner even if the partner is not “actively involved.”
Britain has the highest obesity rates in Western Europe.
The Health Survey for England 2021, for example, found that almost 26 per cent of adults in England were classed as obese (with a body mass index of 30 or more).
A BMI between 25 and 30 is classified as “overweight.”
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of life-threatening diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Researchers said the so-called “domino effect” may explain why two is better than one when it comes to losing weight.
Surveys show that more than 60 per cent of people in the UK want to reduce calorie intake and cut back on fatty foods in favor of more fruit, vegetables and fibre.
But only a fraction manages to get rid of all their unwanted excess weight.
The Bournemouth team wanted to see if targeting dietary advice to couples worked better than just individuals.
They reviewed dozens of previous studies on the topic to get a general picture of the potential benefits.
The results, published in Nutrition and Health, showed that couples who counted calories together lost significantly more than those who tried to follow a healthy lifestyle alone.
And they lost an average of 4.5 kg (or nine and a half pounds), more than overweight volunteers who did not receive dietary guidance.
In a report on the findings, the researchers said: “Lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing excess body weight focus on people who are overweight or obese.”
The results showed that couples who counted calories together lost significantly more than those who tried to follow a healthy lifestyle alone.
“But many couples share the risk of obesity.”
Researchers said the so-called “domino effect” may explain why two is better than one when it comes to losing weight.
‘There has been evidence that couples who did not actively participate in a weight loss intervention lost some weight due to the domino effect.
“Our findings suggest that interventions targeting couples lead to greater weight loss.”