Couples who diet together lose more weight than slimming on their own, a study shows.
On average, they each shed 2.25 kg – or four-and-a-half pounds – more when they joined forces to tackle unhealthy eating habits.
Researchers said the findings, by a team of experts from Bournemouth University, suggest weight-loss advice might be better targeted at married or co-habiting couples, since it’s common for them to have similar calorie intake.
And the findings also suggest a ‘ripple effect’ means that someone’s weight-loss efforts can benefit their significant other 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 almost 26 per cent of adults in England were classed as obese – with a body mass index of 30 or above.
A BMI between 25 and 30 is classified as ‘overweight’.
Being overweight or obese heightens the risk of life-threatening conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The researchers said the so-called ‘ripple effect’ may explain why two is better than one when it comes to slimming
Surveys show more than 60 per cent of people in the UK want to reduce calorie intake and cut back on fatty foods in favour of more fruit, vegetable and fibre.
But only a fraction succeed in ditching all their unwanted excess weight.
The Bournemouth team wanted to see if targeting dietary advice at couples worked better than just individuals.
They reviewed dozens of previous studies on the topic to come up with an overall picture of the likely benefits.
The results, published in Nutrition and Health, showed couples who counted calories together lost significantly more than those trying to follow a healthy lifestyle alone.
And they ditched an average of 4.5kg – or nine-and-a-half pounds – more than overweight volunteers given no dietary guidance.
In a report on the findings researchers said: ‘Lifestyle interventions aiming to reduce excess body weight focus on individuals who are overweight or obese.
The results showed couples who counted calories together lost significantly more than those trying to follow a healthy lifestyle alone.
‘But many couples share an obesity risk.’
The researchers said the so-called ‘ripple effect’ may explain why two is better than one when it comes to slimming.
‘There has been evidence that partners not actively involved in a weight loss intervention still lost some weight due to the ripple effect.
‘Our findings suggest interventions aimed at couples lead to greater weight loss.’