The Real Reason People Gain Weight In Relationships

You've seen it before, or perhaps even fallen victim to this phenomenon. After finding that special new connection with someone, you're left wondering if your bathroom scale has somehow malfunctioned. What's with the extra weight? Healthline states in accordance with a new poll on behalf of weight management company Jenny Craig, more than three in four Americans pack on some "extra cushion" after entering a relationship. Both men and women are susceptible to a more rounded appearance that mutual attraction has been known to bring — however, men were shown as more likely than women to gain weight within the first year of a relationship. Here is what the experts are saying to explain the "extra icing" that comes with the cake of love.

The truth can be found in behavior. More specifically, with eating behavior habits. "Eating together, whether at home or out, is one of the most popular activities for couples to do together," Allison Childress, PhD, RDN, assistant professor in the department of nutritional sciences at Texas Tech University, told Healthline. "Sharing meals allows us to bond even more. You may find yourself indulging in foods you would have passed on before or simply eating more or more often." 

Another reason might be because people may take less notice of their own physical appearance when they no longer need to attract a mate. "Many people associate their weight with their appearance — something that often becomes less important once they've settled down," Andrea Meltzer, an assistant professor of psychology at Florida State University explains to Huffington Post. Meltzer shares a way to avoid the extra poundage, revealing, "By focusing more on the health-related benefits of weight maintenance, people may be able to avoid potentially unhealthy weight gain once they enter a relationship."

Luckily, we are now more aware of this phenomenon and can be more proactive in not falling victim to a joint expansion with our partners by creating positive eating habits together and focusing more on the health-related benefits of maintaining the number on the scale. Doing this can help you both steer clear of the unwanted icing.