Abstract

We studied how marital status is related to eating patterns, finding that married people negotiate their joint meals to eat more regularly and elaborately, and how this is associated with higher body weights especially among husbands.

Issue

As obesity rises in the U.S. many people are trying to identify ways to manage weight. Nutritionists and family counselors may want to work with marital partners, who have a strong influence upon eating and exercise patterns that shape body weight. Considering spousal expectations and obligations may provide ways to encourage healthy eating and exercise.

Response

We have begun to study marital status and body weight, and offered some of our findings to nutrition educators. We do not expect that working with married couples will eliminate unhealthy eating or stop the rise in body weight, but believe that it offers one option for improving eating, exercise, obesity, and health.

Impact

Nutrition educators who have been exposed to this information have data about ways they may involve spouses together in eating healthily and exercising regularly.

Funding Sources

• Other Federal non-USDA (e.g., NSF, NIH, DOA, DOD)

Key Personnel

• Jeffery Sobal, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University
• Caron Bove, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University
• Barbara Rauschenbach, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell UniversityI