Weight Stigma in Existing Romantic Relationships

Authors: Boyes, Alice¹; Latner, Janet²

Source: Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, Volume 35, Number 4, July 2009 , pp. 282-293(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Associations between body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and relationship quality and other partner/relationship perceptions were investigated in 57 dating or married couples. Heavier women had lower quality relationships, which they predicted were more likely to end. They partnered with less desirable men and thought their partners would rate them as less warm/trustworthy. Heavier women were judged by their male partners as lower in attractiveness/vitality and as poorer matches to their partners' attractiveness ideals. In contrast, men's BMI was generally not associated with relationship functioning. These findings point to the potential mechanisms that may contribute to heavier women's relationship difficulties.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00926230902851280

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand 2: Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Publication date: 2009-07-01

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