In a first-of-its-kind nationwide study, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has shed light on an unexpected side-effect of marital bliss—shared weight gain. The research, based on data from over 52,000 Indian married couples, has revealed that at least one in four couples are now overweight or obese, with patterns strongly emerging among urban, affluent, and media-exposed households.
The study, published in Current Developments in Nutrition, is the largest in the country to explore spousal weight concordance—a phenomenon where couples mimic each other’s body weight profiles. And the results are telling. Roughly 27.4% of Indian couples are gaining weight in sync, particularly those under the age of 30.
Dr. Shalini Singh from the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention, one of the study’s senior authors, remarked, “What makes this study stand out is not just the numbers, but the patterns—geographic, economic, and social—that tell us where and how India’s obesity crisis is evolving.”
When Togetherness Equals Tummy Trouble
The researchers pulled data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), analyzing the lifestyle and health metrics of 52,737 married couples. Couples were categorized as overweight or obese if either had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 23 or more, in line with Asian-specific health standards.
What’s surprising is the economic skew in the findings:
- 47.6% of couples in the richest wealth quintile were overweight or obese together.
- In stark contrast, only 10.2% of couples in the poorest quintile shared this trait.
This suggests that prosperity in India is increasingly linked to sedentary lifestyles, high-calorie diets, screen exposure, and disrupted sleep schedules—all shared experiences in modern marriages.
Delhi, Goa, Kerala Among the Most Affected
The trend is most pronounced in urban, high-income states and union territories like Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, and Jammu and Kashmir. These regions, according to the study, should be prioritized for couple-based health interventions. The authors argue that targeting married pairs could be a more effective strategy in reversing the obesity trend than individual-focused approaches.
“The couple dynamic is powerful,” said one of the researchers. “They eat together, binge-watch together, and often abandon exercise together. But that also means they can change habits together—and that’s where the opportunity lies.”
A Cultural Wake-Up Call
In India, marriage is considered a turning point in life, often associated with lifestyle upgrades. However, the study suggests that these upgrades might be taking a toll on physical health. Shared indulgences—late-night snacking, dining out, increased screen time—are unintentionally making couples mirror each other’s unhealthy habits.
Way Forward: Couple-Centric Health Campaigns
The findings have prompted experts to recommend health policies that treat couples as a unit in combating obesity. Campaigns focused on joint fitness goals, mutual diet plans, and digital detox routines could be more relatable and effective.
As India continues to urbanize and digitize, the health challenges will evolve. This ICMR study is a reminder that solutions must evolve too—not just targeting individuals, but recognizing the powerful influence couples exert on each other.
Because in sickness and in health… might now include in weight gain and in wellness too.
