Yes, you read it right—love may be the reason behind your expanding waistline. A study carried out by scientists from the University of Queensland (Australia), women with a partner weigh, on average, 10 kilos more than single women. In the case of men, the average increase is 7.5 kilos.
Another report from the Spanish Society for the Study of Obesity (SEEDO) ensures that falling in love means an average weight gain of about 4.5 kilos.
“The studies that observe that starting a relationship and starting to live together cause weight gain are real,” says Pablo Zumaquero, dietitian-nutritionist and food technologist.
“You cannot generalize because there will be couples in which it does not happen, but it is the trend,” he adds.
1. The need to look attractive decreases
The researchers pointed out a few reasons linking weight gain with being in love and the declining need to impress a partner played a key role. It’s quite logical because once a person finds a partner, he or she is no longer under the pressure to look their best and this may unknowingly make them gain weight.
2. Spending more time indoors
There’s a truth that people in love likes to spend time indoors doing sweet nothings. They would prefer to spend time cuddling rather than hitting the gym or exercising. It is obvious that their inactive lifestyle would lead to weight gain.
3. The unhealthy habits of a partner
A partner’s unwillingness to lose weight or lead a healthy lifestyle may rub off on the other person, according to a study.. Called the ripple effect, this may also be one of the reasons why the BMI of people in relationships increases as compared to singles.
4. Hormones are to be blamed!
When we are in love, our body is full of happy hormones like oxytocin and dopamine. But did you know that these hormones make you crave for food—chocolates, wine and calorie-laden meals—that makes you feel happy? Do we need to explain more?
