Relationship weight gain is real, and while it may be one sign of a happy marriage (and really fun to achieve sometimes), it's not necessarily harmless.
A recent study from the University of Edinburgh found that the lifestyle choices we make with our partners -- including those related to nutrition and exercise -- have a greater impact on our health than the habits we shared with our parents and siblings growing up.
In other words, adults can no longer just blame or thank their genetics for their health, good or bad. Instead, they can blame their partners for regularly stocking the freezer with a hefty supply of Ben & Jerry's.
The university research team analyzed data provided by 20,000 family members. Participants' genetics and home environments were compared in childhood and adulthood, then associated with measures that relate to health and obesity. Sixteen total measures were accounted for, including waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, body fat content and BMI.
On first read, the findings are a bit disheartening, but they're also very hopeful. If anything, they support the fact that a person's genetic profile isn't their fate, and anyone has the ability to change. In the same way partners can influence each other to be couch potatoes, they can also motive each other to be active, healthy lovebirds.
The choice is yours, together.
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