Previous research using measures, such as body mass index (BMI) or skinfold thickness, has suggested that spouses are similar in terms of body fat. A recent study employing the more accurate technique of duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has now confirmed this finding.

Humans tend to seek out partners with similar characteristics as their own, a phenomenon known as assortative mating. In order to proof assortative mating for body fat, 42 couples were recruited into the study and assessed using DEXA. DEXA provides a precise measure of lean and fat mass. It was found that spouses were similar in terms of age, weight, BMI, lean mass and fat mass. When the effect of age was removed, body fat in couples was more closely correlated .

The authors suggest that people with a high proportion of body fat are more likely to be attracted to someone of a similar fatness, and that this may be contributing to the obesity epidemic as overweight couples will pass on a double dose of the genes that predispose people to be overweight.

For more information, see
Speakman JR et al (2007). Assortative mating for obesity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 86, pp 316-323.

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Diet-related diseases-Obesity