Many studies have shown that obese people have more difficulty attracting a marriage partner, marry later, marry less desirable partners, and marry heavier partners. Once married, people tend to put on weight, increasing their chances of becoming obese. In most cases, both husband and wife tend to put on weight together, a pattern researchers call marital synchrony. Overall, married men in particular are heavier than unmarried people. The obesity of one or both partners can affect marital satisfaction.
Conflict can arise over weight gain, and partners can experience a decline in romantic interest.
Attempts to lose weight can also cause problems. Family dynamics can be interrupted. Men whose wives lose weight may feel threatened if they perceive their wives as becoming attractive to other men. Some studies have found that the weight loss of a spouse can lead to divorce. Others have discovered attempts by family members to sabotage the weight loss attempts of an individual in an effort to maintain the status quo.