Couples Who Eat Together, Obese Together
Married individuals are more likely to be obese than their unmarried counterparts, according to a recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
By : Shrimansi Kaushik
Update: 2025-07-22 17:29 GMT
Married individuals are more likely to be obese than their unmarried counterparts, according to a recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Drawing on NFHS-5 data from over 50,000 couples, the study found that 27.4 per cent of Indian couples are overweight or obese. This pattern of spousal concordance is especially prevalent in urban, affluent, non-working, media-exposed and non-vegetarian households.
The study reveals how shared eating patterns and household routines significantly influence health. In Indian homes, meals are rarely tailored to individual dietary needs. Instead, food is commonly prepared in one style for the entire family, with high-calorie staples like rice, oily curries, fried snacks and sweets forming the daily diet.
This ‘one-pot-for-all’ approach overlooks the nutritional differences required across age, gender and activity levels. “Women, in particular, are impacted. They often eat after the family and end up with less nutritious food or leftovers. Cultural expectations and emotional pressures prevent them from prioritising their own health—especially during postpartum recovery, menopause, PCOS or anaemia,” said Dr Y. Rajyalakshmi Devi, senior dietician and clinical nutritionist.
She warned that shared food habits often lead to shared health risks—obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even fertility issues. Couples may unknowingly reinforce one another’s poor dietary choices and sedentary behaviour, creating a cycle of mutual neglect.
Dr Rajyalakshmi emphasised the importance of nutrition education for both partners. She recommended that community health workers counsel families on balanced meals, portion control and ways to adapt traditional recipes without compromising taste. “Involving men in cooking and food decisions improves acceptance and creates shared accountability,” she explained.
Suggesting practical steps, she said families can start by rethinking everyday meals. “Swapping white rice with millets, using roasted instead of fried snacks and including more vegetables can make a big difference. Flexible dishes like dal or sabzi can be made with a common base and customised for individual needs—spice, oil or calorie levels.”
She advocated following the smart plate model—half vegetables, one-quarter protein, one-quarter whole grains—and reviving traditional diets rich in greens, fermented foods and local grains. This builds a nutrition identity where healthy eating becomes a family value, not just an individual choice.
Dr Venugopal Pareek, senior bariatric and GI surgeon, said couples can support each other by making small changes together. “Eating more home-cooked food with less oil, avoiding late dinners and reducing snacking in front of the TV helps. Even a simple walk together strengthens commitment to shared health.”
“We have had couples come in together for bariatric surgery after exhausting other options. The key is consistent communication—talk about health as a family goal, not one partner’s job,” he said.
This ‘one-pot-for-all’ approach overlooks the nutritional differences required across age, gender and activity levels. “Women, in particular, are impacted. They often eat after the family and end up with less nutritious food or leftovers. Cultural expectations and emotional pressures prevent them from prioritising their own health—especially during postpartum recovery, menopause, PCOS or anaemia,” said Dr Y. Rajyalakshmi Devi, senior dietician and clinical nutritionist.
She warned that shared food habits often lead to shared health risks—obesity, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even fertility issues. Couples may unknowingly reinforce one another’s poor dietary choices and sedentary behaviour, creating a cycle of mutual neglect.
Dr Rajyalakshmi emphasised the importance of nutrition education for both partners. She recommended that community health workers counsel families on balanced meals, portion control and ways to adapt traditional recipes without compromising taste. “Involving men in cooking and food decisions improves acceptance and creates shared accountability,” she explained.
Suggesting practical steps, she said families can start by rethinking everyday meals. “Swapping white rice with millets, using roasted instead of fried snacks and including more vegetables can make a big difference. Flexible dishes like dal or sabzi can be made with a common base and customised for individual needs—spice, oil or calorie levels.”
She advocated following the smart plate model—half vegetables, one-quarter protein, one-quarter whole grains—and reviving traditional diets rich in greens, fermented foods and local grains. This builds a nutrition identity where healthy eating becomes a family value, not just an individual choice.
Dr Venugopal Pareek, senior bariatric and GI surgeon, said couples can support each other by making small changes together. “Eating more home-cooked food with less oil, avoiding late dinners and reducing snacking in front of the TV helps. Even a simple walk together strengthens commitment to shared health.”
“We have had couples come in together for bariatric surgery after exhausting other options. The key is consistent communication—talk about health as a family goal, not one partner’s job,” he said.