New research suggests that when a partner embarks on the quest to losing weight, their decision greatly influences their significant other. The same goes for opting for a more balanced diet.
The recent study found that people in a romantic relation are naturally influencing each other. In other words, the lazier or less motivated partner feels compelled to adopt a healthier lifestyle if their loved one makes the first move.
Lead author Amy Gorin of the University of Connecticut tested the theory on several couples in which one partner took the decision to shed those extra pounds.
When one person changes their behavior, the people around them change,
said Gorin.
One person’s decision seems to have a ripple effect on his or her partner. The study appeared in the journal Obesity. It is the first time a randomized controlled trial proves that couples have a mutual influence when it comes to losing weight.
The Study
The study involved 130 couples for half a year. One partner in each relationship was struggling to lose some weight. The couples were tested at three months and six months into the trial.
The couples were divided into two groups: one group received professional counseling on weight loss and was enrolled in a weight loss program, while the other group was given just general info on weight loss, healthy diets, and weight management.
The study revealed that partners who were not given any lifestyle tips or were not enrolled in a weight loss program lost some pounds alongside their partners. The trend was confirmed after 3 months and six months into the study, respectively.
The study also revealed that if one partner was successful in losing weight so was the other partner, if he or she struggled, the same went for the other partner, too.
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